Fans of the Boston Celtics got great news today, with the team officially extending guard Payton Pritchard to a two-year, $44.2 million contract, per ESPN's NBA Insider Shams Charania.
Pritchard has become one of the most valuable players in Boston since being selected by the Celtics in the first round of the 2020 NBA Draft. During his tenure in Boston, Pritchard helped the Celtics win the 2024 NBA Championship and was the 2025 Sixth Man of the Year Award winner. His new deal keeps him in Boston through the 2028-29 NBA season, with a mutual option for the 2029-30 NBA season
Last season saw Pritchard enter his biggest role with the Celtics yet, and he delivered. He saw career highs in points (17), rebounds (3.9), and assists (5.2), while being Boston's second-best player last year. Following his best season in Boston, the team rewarded the Oregon native, and it's well deserved.
Now with his extension handled, Pritchard is set up well to reward the Celtics' faith in him, improving upon his best season.
Payton Pritchard ready for his best season with the Celtics
We all saw Pritchard improve last season, and he's ready to do it again this season. While his role may be different after being the second option for Boston the prior season, his importance is higher than it was last season. During most of last season, Pritchard was a starter, returning to his sixth-man role after the trade deadline in February.
That might be where he starts this season, but his responsibilities will still be just as important. After trading Jaylen Brown for Paul George, Pritchard's scoring capabilities will be needed to help make up for the overall scoring volume lost by no longer having Brown on the roster. On nights when George may be out, Pritchard's role will be even bigger.
On the Celtics roster, Pritchard is arguably the team's best three-point threat, even if his percentage isn't the highest on the team. The type of threes he can give Boston helps the overall offense and makes him an important piece for the team. Combined with his facilitating and improved scoring at the rim, the 28-year-old could end up being Boston's second-leading scorer behind Jayson Tatum (who may also have his own career year).
As good as he is offensively, his hustle and defense can't be overlooked. For someone who's 6'1 in the NBA, Pritchard comes away with a good amount of offensive rebounds. On the defensive side, while he won't be locking up elite scorers or making an All-Defense team, he's a solid defender thanks in part to his good help defense and improving individual defense.
With the season a week away from starting, it's yet to be known if Pritchard will be in the starting lineup. Given his offensive skills, it may be better for him to come off the bench and help anchor the team as the go-to guy. Especially with how Hugo Gonzalez has looked in the preseason, letting him lead the bench unit could be a smart decision.
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