For as polarizing as he's become, it's an indisputable truth that the Boston Celtics ran their offense through Jaylen Brown in 2025-26. Brown averaged at least 11.7 more points than any of his qualified teammates, was just 0.2 assists per game off of the team lead, and averaged 7.3 more shots per contest than any other Celtic.
With Brown no longer on the team, however, the door is wide open for the Celtics to take on a new form on offense. That's put Payton Pritchard in an ideal spot to make the leap to stardom as a potential No. 2 scoring option.
Boston will conceivably feature Jayson Tatum as its go-to scorer and Paul George as its No. 2 scoring option. Both are remarkably skilled and proven scorers who should be able to handle the workload if they can maintain a clean bill of health.
Tatum averaged 21.8 points per game on .411/.329/.823 shooting in 16 regular season appearances in 2025-26, however, and George has played a combined 78 games over the past two seasons. George also hasn't averaged at least 20.0 points per game since 2023-24.
Compounded by the fact that Derrick White shot at a clip of just .394/.327/.902 in 2025-26, the Celtics don't exactly have an iron-clad scoring hierarchy. Optimism justifiably exists that Tatum will return to his All-NBA level of play with a full and healthy offseason, and it's worth noting that 25 of George's 45 absences in 2025-26 were due to suspension rather than injury.
One simply can't ignore the fact that George is 36, Tatum has played 22 total games over the past year, and Pritchard is already knocking on the door of a leap to stardom.
Celtics' uncertainty in key scoring roles opens door for Payton Pritchard
Pritchard has the skill set to be at least a second option in the scoring department. He can create his own offense, shoot with range, and has averaged at least 18.1 points per 36 minutes in each of the past two seasons. In 2025-26, he even posted 17.0 points per game on .464/.377/.890 shooting.
That certainly suggests that he's qualified to receive more touches and shot attempts in a system that will run through Tatum, but doesn't exactly have a clear-cut second volume scoring option.
Thankfully, Pritchard's progress isn't just based on optimism and signs of promise. He flipped a switch during the second half of the 2025-26 season, averaging 17.5 points and 2.9 three-point field goals made on .481/.423/.915 shooting over his final 39 appearances.
If the Celtics are willing to increase his volume from the 13.7 field goal attempts he averaged during that time, there's a clear line to draw between where he is and Pritchard averaging upward of 20 points per game.
Payton Pritchard is the perfect fit for Celtics' No. 2 role on offense
For a Boston side that seems to be banking more on balance than individual proficiency, there is a case for keeping things the way they are. George is, after all, an excellent fit for the Celtics' system. The time will come when Boston must define roles, however, and Pritchard is on the path to stardom already.
Even if one were to make an argument for George taking precedent as a scorer, Pritchard adds an invaluable second skill that should see him play with the ball in his hands: He's become a dynamic playmaker.
The 28-year-old is coming off of a season during which he averaged 5.2 assists per game. He led all Celtics in assists per 36 minutes while ranking No. 2 in points per 36. It's yet another example of why Boston should unleash him on the offensive end of the floor.
If the Celtics are willing to prioritize his volume, then 2026-27 could be a massive season for Pritchard as he makes the leap to stardom as a scorer and playmaker.
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