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Doubts about Payton Pritchard could lead to Boston Celtics pursuing ex-NBA Champion floor general

The Boston Celtics could pursue an ex-NBA champion floor general due to doubts about whether or not Payton Pritchard could hold down the position for the second unit.

By Andrew Hughes

Nov 6, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard (11) reacts to a
Nov 6, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard (11) reacts to a / Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
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Payton Pritchard's struggles, highlighted by his 37/29/67 shooting slash, could lead the Boston Celtics to pursuing a more suitable option to run the second unit at the floor general position -- and Celtics Wire's Adam Taylor pegs Alex Caruso as a potential target in the trade market considering the Chicago Bulls' futility in 2023-24 the C's urgent title ambitions.

"The Boston Celtics are undoubtedly one of the best teams in the NBA this season," Taylor prefaced before saying, "Their top-six rotation is the envy of most fanbases in the league. However, there are concerns surrounding the team’s depth and whether Payton Pritchard can be a primary backup off the bench.

"Alex Caruso‘s name has been floated around Celtics circles on social media in recent days. The veteran guard is currently playing for the Chicago Bulls, who are widely expected to tear down their current roster before the February 8 trade deadline. As such, there is a chance the versatile wing could become available."

Alex Caruso would be home run for Boston Celtics front office on the trade market

This rumor is music to the ears of Celtics fans who can nearly picture a championship being the conclusion to the 2023-24 campaign, but have trouble figuring out how the team's second unit competes with the likes of the Denver Nuggets, who are getting over 10 points per game from Reggie Jackson and nearly 10 PPG from Christian Braun.

Pritchard's shooting slump shouldn't worry the Cs long-term about their $30 million investment to the Oregon product over four years, but it should have the front office in the hunt for someone who can be the idealized version of Fast PP in time for a 2024 Banner 18 run. Caruso is exactly that, at a nearly identical rate: four years for $36 million.

Brad Stevens has a hanging curveball coming his way, and all he needs to do is load up his back leg -- or, I suppose, be willing to give up future draft picks to Chicago's front office -- and take that home run swing.

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