The Boston Celtics have a lot of question marks heading into the 2025 offseason, but Payton Pritchard isn’t one of them.
There’s no chance Pritchard gets traded by Boston this summer, or anytime soon, for that matter.
Pritchard is on one of the NBA’s most team-friendly contracts, set to earn just $7.2 million in 2025-26, $7.8 million in 2026-27, and $8.3 million in 2027-28. For a player of his caliber, this is a steal. Pritchard’s value far exceeds his cap hit.
Pritchard’s 2024-25 season was a breakout, culminating in the NBA Sixth Man of the Year award. Averaging career highs in points, assists, and minutes off the bench, he proved indispensable as a spark plug. His 40.7 percent three-point shooting, relentless energy, and playmaking stretched defenses and fueled Boston’s second unit.
With Derrick White and Jrue Holiday entrenched as starters, Pritchard thrived in his reserve role, but his skill set screams starter potential.
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Depending on roster moves this summer—say, if Holiday gets moved—Pritchard could slide into the starting lineup in 2025-26. His ability to run an offense, play off the ball whenever needed, defend tenaciously, and knock down shots makes him a perfect fit alongside White and Jaylen Brown.
Trading Pritchard should be considered completely off the table for Celtics GM Brad Stevens.
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