The Boston Celtics are ready to see the results of their hectic offseason as the regular season approaches, though more changes could still be on the way.
Facing financial constraints and second-apron penalties, the Celtics made several cost-cutting moves, including trading away Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis. With Jayson Tatum expected to miss most, if not all, of the season while recovering from a torn Achilles, Boston appears headed toward a gap year. The team’s starting five will look dramatically different after its offseason decisions, with multiple spots seemingly up for grabs.
One of those open spots is in the backcourt alongside Derrick White. The Celtics acquired Anfernee Simons in exchange for Holiday and could opt to start him. But with his expiring contract and the evolution of Payton Pritchard, the decision isn’t so straightforward.
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NBA writer suggests new role for Payton Pritchard
With Simons’ arrival, head coach Joe Mazzulla faces a big call. However, Chris Forsberg of NBC Sports Boston believes Pritchard should ultimately get a shot in the starting five.
“The 2025-26 season feels like a perfect opportunity to answer a query that has lingered for much of Pritchard’s NBA career: Can he thrive as a starter with the Celtics? There’s little reason to think he couldn’t, and we’re eager to see him get every opportunity to show he can do more this season,” he wrote.
Pritchard is coming off a career-best year in which he won the Sixth Man of the Year award. He averaged 14.3 points, 3.8 rebounds and 3.5 assists across 28.4 minutes per game while shooting 40.7 percent from beyond the arc in 80 regular-season games.
Simons, meanwhile, started every game over the past three seasons in Portland but enters Boston on an expiring deal. Additionally, rumors have been swirling that he could be rerouted in another salary-shedding move, whereas Pritchard figures to be an important part of Boston’s rotation for years to come.
After showing steady growth in the past two years, now may be the perfect time to see if Pritchard can thrive as a starter.
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