Payton Pritchard showed on Saturday night that he’s too valuable for the Celtics to consider moving him before the trade deadline, writes Brian Robb of MassLive. Injuries gave Pritchard a chance to play with the game on the line and he delivered 12 fourth-quarter points, including a three-pointer that turned out to be the game-winner.
Pritchard has recently overtaken Sam Hauser in Boston’s rotation, and he was in the game at crunch time due to injuries to Marcus Smart and Derrick White. Robb acknowledges that several teams have expressed interest in Pritchard, but he doesn’t believe the Celtics can improve their title chances by trading him.
“I’m happy for Payton,” coach Joe Mazzulla said. “This league can be unforgiving at times. You have to be strong-minded, you got to work hard, you got to be patient. Payton’s all of those things. I’ve always told him: Whenever it’s his time, I trust him completely. He was great tonight.”
There’s more from the Atlantic Division:
- Smart and Robert Williams both left Saturday’s game with injuries, but the Celtics don’t sound overly concerned about either of them, according to Jared Weiss of The Athletic. Smart suffered a sprained right ankle, but X-rays were negative and he’s considered day to day. Williams didn’t return after halftime due to a hyperextended left knee, but Mazzulla assured reporters that he’s OK.
- The Sixers‘ best option is to hold onto Tobias Harris, at least through the end of this season, contends Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer. Harris delivered 17 points, six assists and five rebounds Saturday as Philadelphia won at Sacramento without Joel Embiid and James Harden, and Pompey points out that Harris’ willingness to adapt to changing roles has made the Sixers seem like legitimate title contenders. Harris has one year left on his contract, and Pompey believes that if the team wants to unload him, it will be easier this summer when he has an expiring deal.
- The Raptors fell to 20-27 with Saturday’s loss, and Fred VanVleet understands that the team needs to start winning to avoid major changes at the deadline, per Michael Grange of Sportsnet.ca. “In my seven years going through it, you realize there’s nothing you can do about it,” VanVleet said. “The better you play and the better your team does, the lower the chance anybody getting shipped out of here.”
Williams continues to have on-and-off knee issues. This is happening too frequently. Sad. I think the way he was handled in the playoffs last year will cost him big time down the road.
That spark that Pritchard gave the team when they needed it just shows how deep this team is and that they won’t be moving off valuable contributors when there’s no need to. Sure the C’s could use one more vet wing on cheap money or maybe another big to slot between Horford & Kornet but to pay for those Boston has plenty of picks and TPEs to find a fit.
This team’s chemistry is off the chart this seaso and the Front Office isn’t looking to take away from that.
For the purpose of trade away White
Celtics get Vanderbilt and a Warriors protected First
Jazz get Moody and Celtics Second
Warriors get Pritchard
Then Celtics trade White and a Warriors First for a young shooter
So basically trade pritchard, white, and a first for a player exactly like Pritchard?
So you are saying Pritchard is worth a first and Vanderbilt? Awful
Propose all the trades you want — enjoy, enjoy, enjoy — but stay away from my beloved Celtics!
We sure don’t want to trade Payton Pritchard or Derrick White or anyone else. We’re fine with who we have. And to think or suggest we’d make a trade with the Golden State Warriors, is just nuts. Go Celtics!
Reality check
There are only 2 potential sellers: Raptors and Jazz
Lakers, it’s your time
The following 4 teams have nothing for sales (it means they are not able to help contenders in future)
Pistons
Magic
Spurs
Rockets
Aren’t Bogdanovic, Gordon, and Poetl, 3 of the biggest names on market?
Fair point on Harris, will never get equal value midseason, better to deal for depth in offseason