We truly won’t know what the Boston Celtics’ rotation will look like until at least preseason rolls around -- things could still shift around even weeks into the regular season campaign. There’s been some questioning in these early summer months as to whether or not Payton Pritchard will step back into the starting lineup or remain in the bench role that he finished last season in.
Pritchard made 50 of his 79 appearances in the 2025-26 season as a starter -- marking the first time in his six-year career that he featured even remotely that much in the starting five. He held the role down well, averaging 16.9 points, 5.3 assists, and 4.3 rebounds per game while shooting 45.7% from the field and 34.8% from beyond the arc.
It wasn’t until Boston traded Anfernee Simons to the Chicago Bulls for Nikola Vucevic that Pritchard moved back to the bench. The Cs simply didn’t have the guard depth to justify keeping both him and Derrick White in the starting lineup.
Instead of being discouraged by the “downgrade,” the 28-year-old actually took his game to a new level upon the shift. He posted similar stats, but was far more efficient. His field-goal percentage jumped to 47.7% and his three-point clip rose to 42.9%.
Heading into this year, it feels like he’s earned the opportunity to reclaim the starting spot, but his bench efficiency makes it at least worth considering continuing to bring the 2025 Sixth Man of the Year off the bench.
The Celtics' Pritchard decision will reveal exactly what they expect of Mike Conley
Regardless of what Joe Mazzulla and his staff decide, Pritchard’s status will also indicate the team’s plans for newly-signed guard Mike Conley. Conley joins the Celtics for his 20th NBA season, after three and a half seasons with the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The veteran only played about 18 minutes per game for the Wolves last year, and there’s a possibility that Boston doesn’t have plans to give him a significant role. He could very well be on the roster because of his tremendous reputation as a two-time NBA Teammate of the Year winner.
You could also speculate that the Cs have a handshake deal with the 39-year-old to join their coaching staff whenever he retires.
If they elect to keep Pritchard on the bench, then it’s unlikely that Conley will see regular minutes, but if they decide to start him, then it could mean they’re confident enough in the former All-Star’s ability to hold down the backup role.
Though Conley’s regular-season numbers were by far the lowest of his career, he still delivered efficient bench minutes for Minny in the playoffs. He averaged 4.4 points and 2.7 assists while shooting 50% from both the field and from deep in 12 playoff games.
Add us as a preferred source on Google