Celtics guard Payton Pritchard won the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year award in 2024/25 after averaging 14.3 points, 3.8 rebounds and 3.5 assists on .472/.407/.845 shooting in 80 games last season (28.4 MPG). Last week, he discussed his confidence in the team’s ability to remain competitive and his excitement for a larger role in 2025/26.
After trading Jrue Holiday to Portland, Boston intends to promote Pritchard to the starting lineup for the upcoming season, Grant Afseth reports for FastbreakJournal.com.
That means Anfernee Simons — whom the Celtics acquired for Holiday and have reportedly been trying to trade — will essentially slide into Pritchard’s old role as a spark-plug scorer off the bench, assuming he’s still on the roster when the season tips off in October.
As Afseth notes, Pritchard only started three games last season, but he put up big numbers in those contests, averaging 21.7 PPG, 5.0 RPG and 7.3 APG in 35.1 MPG.
According to Afseth, Boston believes the former 26th overall pick has “earned the starting job through years of steady development.” Pritchard is entering his sixth season with the Celtics.
While Simons is a more proven offensive player than Pritchard, he’s also a lesser defender. And given Simons’ tenuous spot on the roster — he’s on an expiring $27.7MM contract, whereas Pritchard is in the second season of a four-year, $30MM rookie scale extension — it makes sense from both a team-building and continuity perspective to give Pritchard the starting nod.
He deserves his shot.
I remember Payton Pritchard’s triple double the last day two seasons back when he got to start so I’m delighted he may get to start this upcoming season to see what he can do. I also remember he was the Bob Cousy Point Guard of the Year his last college season. Should be a fun season.
@ Aristotle….lols. Payton wasn’t that guy yet, was barely in the rotation. Sporadic minutes here and there. Was lucky to get a contract and asked out because he wasn’t playing. Turned into that guy you mention after signing. Well played Boston on the patient development and bargaining the contract front.
QUESTION: Is Pritchard’s 4 year, $30M/yr contract (that’s $7.5M/yr), with 3 years remaining, the most team-friendly/player-unfriendly in NBA history?
As 6th man of the year and career 40% shooter, Pritchard’s true value is, at least, $20M/yr. So, his contract will have a $50M shortfall when it ends. (Memo to NBA players: avoid Payton Pritchard’s agent.) Meanwhile, reserve Anfernee Hardaway will make 3x what Payton does this season.
Pritchard’s fit on the Celtics to date has been perfect, but, IMO, he’s much better as a 6th-man and 3rd guard than as a starter. It’ll be interesting to see what happens next season when the Celtics try to build a Championship roster.
Definitely a great contract from team perspective. But when they inked it, he was not the player he is today. It actually looked pretty player friendly when he first got extended. For me Pritchard will have to prove he is starting level to justify your number of $20mil per year. But he may very well do that.
Since there’s no reply button to aristotle, I’ll comment of Pritchard’s agent here:
Creative Artists Agency
Name NBA clients include Booker, Brunson, PG13, Cooper Flagg, Haliburton, Hartenstein, Jaden Ivey, Jaren Jackson Jr, Donovan Mitchell, KAT, Jordan Poole, CP3, and Randle, among others. The also rep a lot of NFL names like QBs Stafford and Allen, and all the other major sports as well.
@NBAisOK, If you make enough terrible posts (and yours are good), you, too, can be cast into HoopsRumors purgatory.
I was joking about Pritchard’s agents. Without being familiar with the circumstances at the time, I’m not qualified to judge. Maybe it’s what Pritchard wanted.
Still, one thing about the contract seems strange: the 4 year term. That’s a lot of years to commit to a glorified veteran’s minimum. It feels like the opposite of “betting on yourself”, as if to say, “I don’t believe I’ll ever be more than the 11th guy on this roster”.
As a 25 year-old, 1st round pick who’s proven that he belongs in the NBA, why not go for a 2- or 3-year deal?
There’s probably pressure or perhaps willingness to take less money if he simply wants to be a part of that team. Over a year ago, many were expecting the Celtics roster to become a dynasty/go on a big run.
How many comments do you have to make to get the TR badge?
Good point about his decision to do 4 years, considering the going rate it’s left him underpaid.
This site is so weird – the reply button randomly appears, as it did now.
It was my understanding that the TR badge is for subscription users not number of comments.
Thanks, I didn’t know that
Means he’s blocked you.
No, because occasionally the reply option is there (plus he has said he didn’t).
@ Aris….joking, not qualified, why post? Me, like everyone else on here is wrong on the daily….yourself? You’re the back tracking king. When I don’t know something, I ask, I learn. If I’m wrong, I learn. Admitting is the first step. Lols.
Certainly Payton keeps improving but I think he was quite ready when he came into the league. He was just not given a chance, why he was ready to ask for a trade a couple years back.
Brunson’s 4 year $100 million deal with the Knicks would be in the conversation, he got paid more but probably delivered $45-50M per year in value. I am sure there are others that developed late and were tied to undervalued extensions for a few years.
@justkidding, Brunson is definitely a great example of a team-friendly contract. But at least he’ll make $100M.
The unusual thing about Pritchard’s contract is how many years (4) he committed to make such a small amount ($7.5M/yr). He’ll be 30 years old before he negotiates another contract. Nobody should feel sorry for him, but after the government takes its 40%, he’ll still be a long way from the “generational wealth” that pro athletes are aiming for.
Well, we’ll see if you’re right. I think he’s going to be a top scorer, 2nd high, as part of a Celtics big three of Brown, DWhite & Payton and will average over 20 pts per game and post some triple doubles. If he starts all season.
They’ve gotta move Simons
I agree. Even if he has a great year it may be hard to resign him and meet their goal of getting under the luxury tax (to reset the repeater tax). He is probably gone by the deadline at the latest.
Brad has a lot of time to move Simons, especially if he is doing the gap year thing.
He has until the trade deadline and I believe Simons will flourish in their offense.
> I believe Simons will flourish in their offense.
You’re probably right, but Simons’ profile is unlikely to change no matter how well he plays early this season. Simons was on the block for 15 months in Portland before the Holliday trade. He’s an “instant offense” bench player that defends poorly and earns $10M more than he’s worth.
IMO, the most likely team to trade for Simons is one that loses a player to injury or decides it needs another scorer for a playoff run.
If he’s not traded, I hope we highlight Anfernee and he plays great. Then some team will need and want him. And offer for him. Goal remains to cut payroll.
@ Beach guy…I’d take vuch or Corey kispert from Washington. Boston need to trade him. There are plenty of teams with cap space who could offer Simons a contract and he walks for nothing.
Everyone laughed at me in another post.
Celtics offer while it’s possible Simons and Hugo to the Nets for a 2nd rd pick
Whitehead is waived
Norris is resigned
Are you high.
Brown gonna have to play center. Pritchard, Simons, White, Hauser, Jaylen gonna be the starting lineup