3 Celtics Who Won’t Be in Boston By the End of the Season
![BOSTON, MA - DECEMBER 16: Boston Celtics interim head coach Joe Mazzulla directs his players during the second quarter of the game against the Orlando Magic at TD Garden on December 16, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo By Winslow Townson/Getty Images) BOSTON, MA - DECEMBER 16: Boston Celtics interim head coach Joe Mazzulla directs his players during the second quarter of the game against the Orlando Magic at TD Garden on December 16, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo By Winslow Townson/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/233c2fbf5b81db1b2b6544797bcc6094e24d85e15f364edba10702c44244d772.jpg)
3. Payton Pritchard
It shouldn’t come as a surprise that Payton Pritchard’s time in Beantown could be coming to an end.
The fourth-year point guard has made it clear that he wants more responsibility at this stage of his career, leading to various trade rumors. It’s hard to blame him for being disgruntled considering that he went from averaging 19.2 minutes as a rookie to just 13.4 in the 2022-23 season.
It’s also hard imagining Pritchard getting more playing time as long as Brogdon and Derrick White are ahead of him on the depth chart. Barring any serious injuries to the duo, the 25-year-old will likely be stuck on the bench again.
With Pritchard becoming a free agent at the end of the season, it’d be wise for the Celtics to explore trade options. They can likely get a solid return for him due to his age, as well as the fact that he averaged 15.1 points and 4.9 rebounds per 36 minutes last year.
Furthermore, eliminating his $4.03 million cap hit (per Spotrac) will be helpful if Boston wants to bring in rotational players to help improve the roster at some point down the line.
As solid as Pritchard can be when given the chance, all signs point to his days with the C’s being numbered.
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