Payton Pritchard didn’t get the trade he wanted last winter and now he may have a regular role in the Celtics‘ rotation, writes Adam Himmelsbach of The Boston Globe. Frustrated by inconsistent playing time, Pritchard was open about his desire to be sent to another team before the February deadline.
This summer’s Kristaps Porzingis trade, which sent Marcus Smart to Memphis, created an opening in the backcourt that Pritchard hopes to fill. He’s not taking anything for granted as he enters his fourth NBA season, but he views the deal as a sign that the front office has confidence in him.
“If I get the opportunity to play, I’ve got to show what I’m capable of and that I can help win at a high level,” Pritchard said. “So I’m just looking forward to the opportunity of showcasing that. At the end of the day, I’m a winner and am obviously going to help Jaylen (Brown) and Jayson (Tatum) because those are the two that are pushing us, but we’ve all got to help them get over the hump and ultimately win a championship.”
Coach Joe Mazzulla has said Derrick White will replace Smart as the starting point guard, Himmelsbach adds, and Malcolm Brogdon is expected to remain the first guard off the bench. Pritchard’s role isn’t as well defined heading into training camp, but he hopes to show Mazzulla that he can deliver when called upon.
“I think it looks different every night,” Pritchard said. “Obviously, I have the ability to shoot and space the floor, but also this year being able to take pressure off, and if I have to handle and bring it up and showcase more of the passing side of things, I can do that. But I’ve talked to Joe, and it’s going to be a lot of different things.”
There’s more on the Celtics:
- Brogdon still has hard feelings about nearly being included in the Porzingis deal, Gary Washburn of The Boston Globe said on the “Celtics Beat” podcast (hat tip to Gio Rivera of NESN). Brogdon was offered to the Clippers in the original version of the three-team trade, but L.A. declined because there wasn’t time to fully examine his medical records before the deadline for Porzingis to pick up his option for next season. “I think he understands, but (it) doesn’t mean he’s not upset about it,” Washburn said. “So I was told he was not happy with how things went down. Now, does that increase his level of mistrust in the Celtics organization?”
- The Celtics may wait to fill their open roster spot until other teams make their final cuts, Brian Robb of MassLive states in a mailbag column. Robb believes the team’s most pressing need is to find another big man.
- Souichi Terada of MassLive examines Tatum’s MVP chances, concluding that his best opportunity is for Boston to emerge as clearly the best team in the East.