Payton Pritchard, who played a pivotal role in the Boston Celtics’ recent championship run, is set to remain with the team for the foreseeable future.
The Celtics extended Pritchard’s contract before the 2023-24 season, a decision that appears to be a wise investment.
According to Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report, Pritchard’s contract is among the best in the NBA. Pincus highlighted the value of Pritchard’s deal, especially considering the Celtics’ heavy financial commitments to star players like Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, Jrue Holiday, and Derrick White.
Pritchard’s contributions have increased significantly, with his playing time jumping from an average of 13.4 minutes per game in the 2022-23 season to 22.3 minutes last season. His scoring also improved, averaging 9.6 points per game while shooting 38.5 percent from beyond the arc. In the playoffs, where the Celtics secured the title, Pritchard played a consistent role across 19 games.
Despite not being the most prominent player in their victory over the Dallas Mavericks, Pritchard delivered several key moments throughout the series. His new four-year, $30 million contract represents just 4.8 percent of the Celtics’ $140.6 million salary cap for this season.
Pritchard’s journey with the Celtics has been a rollercoaster. From 2021 to 2023, he found himself benched in favor of other guards like Dennis Schroder and Malcolm Brogdon, leading to his expressed desire for a trade.
As reported by The Athletic’s Jay King and Jared Weiss, Pritchard was hoping for a trade due to the uncertainty surrounding his role. However, with the departures of Brogdon and Marcus Smart, Pritchard’s role on the team expanded, allowing him to play consistently for the first time since his rookie season.
Looking ahead, Pritchard is optimistic about the Celtics’ chances of repeating their success in the upcoming season. In an interview with The Boston Globe’s Adam Himmelsbach, Pritchard expressed his desire to help the team win back-to-back titles.
He emphasized that while the team should appreciate their recent accomplishment, they must remain focused on the challenges ahead, acknowledging that last season’s success does not guarantee future victories.
The Celtics have retained much of their championship roster from the 2023-24 season, focusing on securing long-term deals with key players. However, as the 2025 NBA Playoffs approach, the team knows that maintaining their championship form will be no easy task.
