Numerous teams have checked on the availability of Celtics guard Payton Pritchard in the trade market, Steve Bulpett of Heavy.com reports.
Pritchard, currently sidelined by a bruised thigh, has mostly been out of the rotation this season due to Boston’s guard depth. He has appeared in 21 games this season, averaging just 10.5 minutes per night. The past two seasons, Pritchard was solidly in the rotation, appearing in 66 games during his rookie campaign and 71 regular season games and 24 postseason contests during Boston’s run to the Finals.
The acquisition of Malcolm Brogdon has left Pritchard, who averaged 6.2 points and 2.0 assists in 14.1 minutes last season, as the odd man out. Pritchard’s ability to run the offense and shoot (4o.5% from deep in his career) makes him an attractive, low-salary target.
He’s still on his rookie contract, making approximately $2.24MM this season and $4.04MM next season. He’ll be eligible for restricted free agency after next season.
He’s certainly a nice insurance policy for Boston, given his proven production. But if the front office sees a more pressing need and the right offer comes along for the No. 26 pick in the 2020 draft, the Celtics could be convinced to move him.
Mavericks could use him
Celtics should DEFINITELY NOT trade Payton Pritchard. As the article States he’s excellent insurance for when, not if, but when Malcolm Brogdon goes down.
As a Celtics fan… I genuinely think Pritchard could handle being a starter, or at the least, a 6th man type for most teams. In fact I think he could do a lot more for the Celtics if given the chance but also don’t totally have a clear cur suggestion of who’s time to cut to give to him instead. last year though… he absolutely should have been playing more. Had they let him then when they had fewer options… maybe he’d have more firmly entrenched himself in this seasons rotation. I do also agree if they can get that “missing piece” in a trade. He is probably also their best trade chip and much easier to swallow trading than Robert or Grant Williams etc.
Pritchard definitely wouldnt start for most teams, but he would be a rotation player for a lot of them.
Exactly Curtis.
Please. No way in heck will the Celtics trade Robert ‘Timelord’ Williams!
Pritchard has done really well with the opportu ities he’s been given in Boston. Excellent value pick, and his value could prove to give them a boost at or near the trade deadline..
Just about any team could use a fundamentally sound, solid 3pt threat lead guard like Pritchard.
3 team deal
Celtics: Jae Crowder
Suns: Jonathan Issac and Payton Pritchard
Magic: Landry Shamet, Danilo Galinari and a 1st (Suns)
Suns are shopping Jae Crowder and have said what they want in return is a PF that can give them minutes. What they also lack is depth. So what they get back is Jonathan Isaacs who is a great fit for them at the 4 spot. Can can also play the 3, is solid defensively and I think just suits that team. Pritchard also comes over and would be a handy addition. CP3 has had injury problems, he’s also getting old. Payton would be slid for them. Could even see Issac if fit and healthy keeping Cam Johnson out of the starting side with his defence.
Orlando don’t really need Issac anymore, they have Bol Bol, Wagner and Paolo. They have a direction they are heading, they know they aren’t making the playoffs. But they’d happily just take Danilo who will opt out and save them money and a first round pick.
As for the Celtics, come playoffs you’ve got
Marcus Smart, Malcom Brogdan, Derrick White, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, Grant Williams, Al Horford and Rob Williams.
That’s 8 really solid players but most teams run 9/10 man rotations so what your really missing is a player that you trust can consistently provide something every night.
You have 3/4 guards, 4 or so forwards and a couple bigs. What you probably want is some more shooting and maybe some versatility.
Jae Crowder gives them another forward, is solid at both ends of the court, can be a shooter, can start or play off the bench, knows how to play winning basketball and knows the franchise.
It would also open up a roster spot you could look to fill with someone like Isiah Thomas who them replaces Pritchard as the undersized guard which offer scoring. Think he and Crowder returning and them winning a ring all together with Smart still there but this now being Tatums team would be awesome to see.
So much versatility in the line up, can play two bigs with Horford and Rob Will. Can play with perimeter defence with White and Smart in the backcourt. Can go for added scoring and ball handling with Brogdan. Can add another 3 and D wing in Grant or Jae. No one would want to match up with these guys.
Crowder would get very few minutes with Boston. He isn’t as good as either Williams.
The other thing is, the whole reason Crowder is being traded is…he doesn’t want to play off the bench.
Very few contenders would start Crowder. Boston wouldn’t for certain.
I like reading your trade ideas though dude.
Idk Boston has had a little run with injuries and illness, first obviously Rob Will and Brogdan.
I think it’s also good to rest the star players when they aren’t needed.
Tatum is 3rd in the NBA in minutes and Brown 8th, that’s with both having played 33 games in comparison to others having played 34 and some 35.
I think getting a guy like Jae would hold value in that aspect of being able to drop these guys minutes at times and still maintain a lead and winning games. Then come playoffs having a guy with his versatility and experience would be great. He’d be like the ultimate insurance policy for if a player was to go down injured that he can go from 15 minutes a night to 25 and you wouldn’t really notice.
I don’t see how you can hate it, your going from Danilo who’s out injured for the year giving you nothing to Jae Crowder who will give you minutes and help you win games.
Then with the open roster spot like I said maybe add Isiah Thomas back to replace Pritchard as the undersized scoring guard. That would be great for the media, sell a bunch of tickets and jersey and if there were to win a ring just be amazing story. He obviously doesn’t have the shooting ability from deep like Payton but he can still give you buckets in other ways and probably create for others better aswell.
Payton Pritchard is surprisingly good at defense since he stays in front of his man. IT would weaken our defense, which we need to win a title, and would likely garner huge media attention which would also hurt us. Plus Payton was the spark in winning two games during Celtic’s winning streak. Terrible he’s not getting playing time but we need him if any guard gets hurt.
Wonderful to see TimeLord back! He’s the player who can put us over the top!
GoCeltics!
OMG stop with IT. He isn’t an NBA player or he would be playing somewhere. Also they sell out every night as it is.
I like Pritchard, but I have been saying since this summer…trade him. He is playing behind Smart, White and Brogdon. They need an wing or a big WAY more than they need a 4th string pg.
Not to sound mean but you say they need a wing or a big way more and I’d suggested Jae and you shut it down saying Grant Williams this and that and he wouldn’t get minutes.
That kinda just defeats what you said, they need this but they don’t need him ….
They don’t need a guy with Crowders skill set. Grant Williams is already here. One tweener PF is enough.
They need an athletic wing, or a traditional big.
Crowder is neither.
I think Rudy Gay would make more sense as a return than Crowder. Jae is also looking to get paid too and Boston will likely be extending Grant Williams this offseason at somepoint.
I posted this earlier over on Celticsblog.
If they’re looking to add wing depth there are a few interesting names out there that would fit into one of their TPEs:
Rudy Gay 6.1M, 6.4M/PO IN 2023
Justin Holiday expiring 6.2M
Otto Porter Jr 6m, 6.3M/PO in 2023
Cam Reddish 5.9M, 8M/QO in 2023
Javonte Green 1.8M
and some younger players that would likely cost more and would need to be re-signed at some point which would be tough considering Grant’s situation. I probably wouldn’t include PP in a deal for one of the players above but I would if we could snag one of these four below,especially Vanderbilt or Bey.
PJ Washington 5.8M, 8m/QO in 2023
Jarred Vanderbilt 4.3M, 4.6M in 2023
Saddiq Bey 2.9M, 4.5M in 2023
Precious Achiuwa 2.8M, 4.3M in 2023
Javonte Green might be the cheapest move without having to include PP but he’s missed 8 of his last 11 games with knee soreness.
Pritchard for isaiah todd and taj gibson
PP is a good player, high IQ, plays both ways, but, for a good team, he’s only a regular rotation piece as a placeholder. I don’t see him as much of a trade piece. At least for a team looking to sure up its playoff rotation.
Payton won the Bob Cousy award as the best point guard in college in his senior year. And now he’s proven he’s a good defender, given his 6’1″size. And he’s also proven he’s a very good three point shooter who can shoot deep threes. He hasn’t had his chance yet but some team will give him his chance if the Celtics don’t. Celts need him this year to make a run at the title if any guard gets hurt. But next year he needs a chance, with Celts or elsewhere.
I’m aware of his college accomplishments.
What do you mean by he hasn’t been given a chance? That he hasn’t been handed the keys to a 25+ mpg rotation slot to “see what he can do”? Very few players get that, and even fewer should. Most players have to first earn their opportunities for larger roles by excelling in practice and lesser roles. I assume BOS has been assessing PP’s capabilities for a larger role all along since drafting him. Did they acquire White last year for the role he immediately assumed because they thought PP could likely do it just as well or better, but wasn’t quite ready? I think it’s far more likely that they didn’t and don’t think PP, while a good passer, can be a primary facilitator with the second unit. Doesn’t mean they’re right. It does mean he was given a chance, though maybe not every possible chance (rare in the NBA, and in life outside of it).
Perfectly stated DXC.
Also JD Davison has flashed potential as a 4th ball handler so moving PP (who I love) for a big or wing makes sense. PP does have value in the right situation, he is more of an effort defender but is high IQ and can shoot out to the three point line. Makes his free throws and can run the offense, there are teams that could use that skill set.
Startling lineup. PG. Brogdan. SG. Brown. SF. Tatum. PF. 6’8 r Williams. C? . Trade white and a first for a younger center taller than 6’10. Myles Turner would be a good fit
Robert Williams is a center. He is no way no how and under no circumstance a power forward.
He can handle the centre position, he can guard big men, he can switch the pick and rolls, he’s a perfect center.
Don’t get caught up on 6-8. Sticking him at power forward without a jump shot or a three would be a major mistake. Robert Williams is your center.
Derrick White is perfect for the Celtics! Good tall DEFENDER, passer, pushes the pace, can drive & score. Shooting 37% from three. Our two scorers need unselfish passers like Al & Derrick to get the best out of them, from Jaylen & Jason. Celts don’t need anyone else demanding lots of shots. Stevens has put together a very well-fitted team! Go Celtics!
Only two players in your “starting lineup” actually start.
I can’t wait to see TimeLord start, once again. That’s our best starting lineup. But, on the other hand, there’s no major rush. Let’s keep mixing & matching until the last couple weeks of the season. Maybe we’ll find some extra now hidden positives. But I figure TimeLord is the key to a title. Go Celts!
If jd davison can handle being the #4 pg it might behoove them to move pritchard especially with the possibility of yam madar coming over from belgrade could also be in the equation
Yam may not be good enough. JD either. The player next year for the Celtics will be 6’5″, 214 pound Juhann Begarin.