Payton Pritchard is adjusting to a new role with the Boston Celtics. The 2025 Sixth Man of the Year has been moved into the starting lineup after Jrue Holiday’s departure during the summer. And, with Jayson Tatum out due to an Achilles tendon injury, Pritchard has assumed a much larger playmaking role, both for himself and for those around him. However, that increase in role has led to an adjustment period that hasn’t always been pretty.
However, Pritchard’s performances have started to even out. The Oregon native is averaging 16.2 points, 4.4 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game, shooting 32.9% from deep and 43.9% from the field. His perimeter scoring numbers will undoubtedly continue to climb as he continues to acclimate to his new role and the additional defensive attention he’s drawing.
Still, given Pritchard’s success coming off the bench last season, there is a valid argument whether the Celtics would be better served moving him back into the second unit, and replacing him with Anfernee Simons. Justin Turpin, Adam Jones and Rich Keefe recently discussed this idea during a recent episode of the “Jones and Keefe” show for WEEI.
You can watch the full episode by clicking on the embedded video above.
Watch or listen to the “Celtics Chronicle” podcast on:
YouTube: https://bit.ly/3QnlPcS
Spotify: https://bit.ly/40JRevf
Apple: https://apple.co/45sAUBG
Substack: https://bit.ly/3WoA0Cf
