Payton Pritchard likely months away from a new deal and perhaps a new role

Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard is eligible to sign a contract extension on Oct. 1. From then until the last day of this offseason, he can sign a three-year, $67.1 million extension. That would first take effect in 2028-29.

It's a chance for the former first-round pick to cash in after going against the grain when he signed his previous deal. Rather than playing out his contract and perhaps seeing what was available to him on the open market, Pritchard opted for peace of mind. He signed a four-year, $30 million pact in October of 2023.

That quickly became one of the most valuable contracts in the NBA. He helped the Celtics capture Banner 18 right before that deal kicked in. Since it did, he has earned Sixth Man of the Year honors. He is also coming off a campaign where he proved his value as a starter before seamlessly shifting back to a role with the second unit.

Unless he finds himself included in a blockbuster deal for the likes of Giannis Antetokounmpo, which may cost Boston Jaylen Brown but not its sixth man, then Pritchard could be in line for a return to the starting lineup next season.

Payton Pritchard could join the Celtics' first unit next season

In his sixth year in the Association, the former Oregon Duck averaged 17 points, 5.2 assists, and 32.3 minutes. Those are all career highs. He also knocked down 37.7 percent of the 7.1 shots he hoisted from beyond the arc.

Pritchard's ability to burrow into the paint, combined with his contact balance and craftiness playing off two feet, led to him generating 5.9 points per game from that area of the floor.

He also produced the third-most isolation points per possession among those who appeared in at least 60 contests and averaged at least one such field-goal attempt, per NBA.com. 

The 28-year-old guard also does an exceptional job of taking care of the rock. He registered the fourth-best assist-to-turnover ratio in the league this season. That's among those who participated in at least 60 games, logging 25 minutes or more per tilt. He did so with a higher usage rate than the three players in front of him.

Regardless of whether Brad Stevens makes a blockbuster trade this summer, if Pritchard's in Boston, naming him the team's starting point guard makes sense. He and Jayson Tatum have already proven they form a potent offensive duo.

That combination generated 46.1 points in 18.5 minutes of floor time together last season, earning a +7.3 plus-minus rating, per NBA.com. They had a 123.2 offensive rating, while holding opponents to 104.7 points per 100 possessions, giving them an 18.5 net rating, per that same database.

Pritchard's sharpshooting, but especially his quickness and ability to get into the paint, will place teams in uncomfortable predicaments when he's coming off a screen from Tatum. He's also an outstanding three-point option off the catch.

Starting him at point guard could help elevate the Celtics' offense. The ball would still find its way to Tatum more than anyone else, but inserting another ball handler into the first unit can maximize their star forward's gravity. The same applies to tapping into the threat he represents on catch-and-shoot attempts from behind the arc. Tatum has finished most campaigns with a conversion rate of 40 percent or slightly below it on those shots.

Defenders don't want to leave a four-time All-NBA First Team talent, and giving Pritchard a path to get downhill will repeatedly create advantageous situations for Boston.

It's a move that would benefit the rest of the first unit as well, as evidenced by the Celtics' 31-19 record when he started last season. For instance, he could alleviate some of the ball-handling burden from Derrick White -- if he's back next year. In the two campaigns before this one, the latter buried over 40 percent of his catch-and-shoot 3s. He drilled 39 percent the year before those two seasons. Starting Pritchard is another avenue to capitalize on that.

The franchise would have to search for a new sixth man, which could lead them to acquire an individual like Collin Sexton, another dynamic scoring guard with a fiery approach.

Boston could decide the best way to manage its rotation is to bring Pritchard off the bench while receiving minutes typically seen from a starter. That could come with considerable opportunities to be on the floor at the end of games.

So, while volume of minutes matters most, and the Celtics have to determine the best way to manage their rotation, Pritchard's already proven his effectiveness in the starting lineup. The results could look even better with more reps alongside Tatum.

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