As halftime was imminent in Game 5 of the NBA Finals, Joe Mazzulla brought Payton Pritchard into the game. The Boston Celtics guard grabbed the ball, ran to half-court, and nailed the biggest shot of the biggest series of the NBA calendar.
It was the half-court heave heard around the world. Those seconds were the only playing time Pritchard got in the Banner 18-clinching game, but his impact was undeniable.
Now, heading into next season, Pritchard should be more than just a half-court specialist.
The Celtics need to give Payton Pritchard more responsibility next season
The 2022-23 season was a rough one for Pritchard. He was almost fully out of the rotation. But once Marcus Smart and Malcolm Brogdon were traded, Pritchard’s role was elevated. He averaged 9.6 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 3.4 assists while shooting 46.8% from the floor and 38.5% from beyond the three-point line.
This year, Pritchard should do more. More importantly, the Celtics should let him do more.
Pritchard’s an elite three-point shooter, a playmaker, and a better shot-creator than most fans realize. Putting the ball in his hands more often would take a ton of pressure off of the Celtics’ stars while also helping Pritchard improve as a player.
Jrue Holiday is 34 years old, and Derrick White is 30. Having Pritchard take on more responsibility will help Boston prepare for a world where he’s more than just the team’s seventh man.
Plus, Pritchard is one of the most team-friendly contracts in the league. He’s set to make roughly $6.9 million this year and is under contract through the 2027-28 season, with his final year set at $8.3 million.
Pritchard is skilled and hungry enough to take on a larger role with Boston, but it’s up to the team to allow him to do so. Defending a title isn’t easy, and one of the best ways Boston can reach that goal is to keep their stars healthy until the postseason comes around. Trusting Pritchard with a larger regular-season role is a great way to do that, and it could very well translate to the playoffs as well.
Stagnancy is a killer in the NBA, and keeping Pritchard in the exact same role he was in last year would contribute to that. It’s up to Boston to allow him to grow, and that’s exactly what they should do.
Let Pritchard run the offense. Trust him to make take and make big shots. It’s time for Pritchard to be more than what he’s been in recent years because he’s talented enough to get there.