The Celtics’ backcourt picture still isn’t settled, and Payton Pritchard sits right at the center of it. Boston’s rotation may not fully come into focus until preseason, and even then, things could keep changing once the regular season starts. For now, one of the biggest questions is whether Pritchard returns to the starting five or stays in the bench role he finished last season in.
That choice matters because Pritchard handled a much larger role than usual in the 2025-26 season. He started 50 of his 79 games, the first time in his six-year career that he spent that much time in the opening lineup. He made the most of it, putting up 16.9 points, 5.3 assists, and 4.3 rebounds per game while shooting 45.7% from the field and 34.8% from three.
His move back to the bench came only after Boston traded Anfernee Simons to the Chicago Bulls for Nikola Vucevic. With the Celtics short on guard depth, they didn’t have much choice if they wanted both Pritchard and Derrick White in the starting group.
What happened next only made the decision trickier. Rather than letting the change slow him down, the 28-year-old actually sharpened his production. His numbers stayed similar, but his efficiency climbed: he shot 47.7% overall and 42.9% from beyond the arc.
That leaves Boston with a real choice heading into this season. Pritchard has clearly done enough to argue for another shot at the starting job, but the way he thrived as a reserve gives the Celtics a strong case for keeping the 2025 Sixth Man of the Year in that role.
And that call will tell us something else, too: what Boston expects from Mike Conley. The newly signed guard is entering his 20th NBA season after three and a half seasons with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Last year, he averaged about 18 minutes per game for Minnesota, and there’s a real chance Boston doesn’t see him as someone who needs a heavy workload.
He may be on the roster because of his reputation as a two-time NBA Teammate of the Year winner. You could also imagine the Celtics having a handshake deal with the 39-year-old to join their coaching staff whenever he retires.
If Boston keeps Pritchard on the bench, Conley probably won’t be looking at regular minutes. But if Pritchard starts, that could signal the Celtics believe Conley can handle the backup role. Even in a season where his regular-season numbers were the lowest of his career, Conley still gave Minnesota efficient minutes in the playoffs, averaging 4.4 points and 2.7 assists while shooting 50% from the field and from deep in 12 games.
In Other News...
Celtics Linked To Veteran Scoring Swing That Could Change Everything
A veteran scorer with a long track record of getting buckets is suddenly part of the conversation in Boston after being cut loose in Sacramento, and the fit is easy enough to see. The Celtics have spent plenty of time weighing how to keep their offense steady around the edges, and a player who can create his own shot while also helping others would give them another layer if they decide the price is right.
The catch is the same one that follows almost every big-name addition at this stage of the calendar: money. Boston would have to sort through a cap picture that gets complicated in a hurry, which is why the idea is intriguing but far from simple, especially with other teams in the mix and the kind of competition that can force a front office to move quickly. [Read more 🡒]
Jayson Tatum Just Reopened An Uncomfortable Celtics Debate
Jayson Tatums latest comments about leadership and learning have stirred up an old Celtics conversation that never quite disappears when his name comes up. Speaking at a camp in St. Louis, he talked about the kind of people he wants around him, emphasizing that he prefers being with someone who is still willing to learn rather than acting like they already have all the answers.
For Boston fans, the timing is what makes it linger, especially with the long-running debate over how Tatum and Jaylen Brown fit together behind the scenes as much as they did on the floor. There have been outside voices over the years questioning Browns personality, but whatever the noise, the two spent nine seasons together and still managed to deliver the 2024 title after plenty of heartbreak and playoff frustration, which is why any hint of tension between them still lands with extra weight. [Read more 🡒]
Celtics Are Asking Payton Pritchard To Solve Their Biggest Problem
With Jaylen Brown gone, the Celtics are entering next season with a familiar kind of roster question: how do they replace a major scorer without turning the whole offense upside down? The early answer appears to be Payton Pritchard, who has long flashed as a compact, efficient shot-maker but has never been asked to carry this much of the load for a full season.
What makes the idea intriguing is that Pritchards best traits have often lived in the margins of Bostons offense. He has been especially effective in isolation and on pull-up jumpers, yet previous seasons never fully tapped into that skill set. Now the Celtics seem ready to lean into it, betting that a bigger role can help smooth over the loss of Brown and keep the attack from losing too much of its punch. [Read more 🡒]