Payton Pritchard isn’t pretending the Celtics’ new look will feel normal.
In his first interview since Jaylen Brown was dealt to the Sixers for Paul George, the Boston guard was candid about what Brown meant to him and what changes when a teammate like that is suddenly gone. Pritchard called Brown a “close friend” and “brother,” and said the veteran wing played a major role in his development.
“I'm very grateful for the relationship I've had with JB, because he kind of took me under his wing, pushed me, made me better," Pritchard said. "And he's just a phenomenal player, so he'll be missed mightily."
Brown’s departure opens a different lane for Boston heading into 2026-27, and Pritchard is one of the players expected to benefit most. With Brown out of the picture, his usage is projected to rise, and some around the league see a bigger leap coming. Yahoo Sports’ Tom Haberstroh even framed the move as Boston betting on Pritchard to become its version of Jalen Brunson.
“The Celtics trading Brown is a bet that Pritchard is their in-house version of New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson, a diminutive player who didn’t fully show his talents until Luka Dončić was out of the picture," Haberstroh said, per Dunk Central.
Pritchard, though, didn’t bite on the comparison.
“Honestly, I don't think much of it," Pritchard said. "I don't really try to dive into what other people try to put on to me. My only thought is finding new way to better myself and get a little bit better and help my team win.”
That mindset comes after a season in which the 28-year-old guard thrived with more responsibility. In 2025-26, he posted career bests in points at 17.0, assists at 5.2 and rebounds at 3.9, while still delivering the efficient shooting that has defined his game, finishing with a 58.4% true shooting mark.
Pritchard also made clear he understands the bigger picture in Boston. The Celtics are trying to “turn the page,” and he knows the business side of the league doesn’t leave much room for sentiment.
“I mean, it's the NBA at the end of the day. It's part of the business. Things change," Pritchard said.
As the second-longest-tenured player on the roster behind Jayson Tatum, Pritchard is set to become even more central in Joe Mazzulla’s system next season. He’s already on a four-year, $30 million extension that began before the 2024-25 campaign, a deal he celebrated by winning Sixth Man of the Year.
For now, the contract question is parked. Pritchard said he’s not looking too far ahead.
“No, I don't really think about it. It's just not something I'm really looking at," Pritchard said.
"I have two years on my contract and it's just, there's no rush on it. We'll talk, obviously, but we have a whole next year to talk about an extension.
For me, it's like, just focus on getting better and becoming the best basketball player I can possibly be.”
In Other News...
Stephen Curry To Boston Suddenly Feels Like A Real Celtics Debate
The idea of Stephen Curry in Boston has been easy to dismiss as offseason fantasy, but it is getting harder to ignore when it comes from someone who knows him well. D'Angelo Russell, a former Curry teammate, raised the possibility on a recent podcast and framed it around fit, suggesting Curry could thrive with a veteran group built around players like Jayson Tatum and Paul George. Even without any confirmed link between Curry and the Celtics, the conversation lands because Boston is the kind of contender that naturally invites those speculative what-ifs.
Currys future has become a topic in its own right as his contract situation starts to shape the conversation around what comes next. Nothing concrete ties him to the Celtics, and there is no indication a move is on the table, but that has not stopped the league from wondering how far a superstars next chapter could stretch. For Boston, the appeal is obvious: whenever a player of Currys caliber becomes remotely discussable, the Celtics are going to be part of the debate. [Read more 🡒]
Paul George Arrives In Boston With One Huge Celtics Question
Paul Georges arrival gives Boston a very different kind of wing presence, one built on shot-making, defense and secondary playmaking. Acquired in the deal that sent Jaylen Brown and four draft picks the other way, he comes in with the kind of all-around skill set the Celtics have long valued, and the team expects him to help in a number of ways while carefully managing his workload.
The question hanging over the move is less about what George can still do on the floor and more about how often Boston can count on him to do it. Even with productive play in the 2025-26 season, his availability has become the real concern, especially with a hefty contract still on the books and the Celtics trying to balance impact with the reality of his age and injury history. [Read more 🡒]
Kawhi Leonard Saga Could Make The Celtics' East Path Much Tougher
The NBAs investigation into Kawhi Leonard has turned what looked like another routine star transaction into one of the leagues bigger looming uncertainties. At the center of it is a review of alleged no-show endorsement deals tied to the Los Angeles Clippers, with the league trying to determine whether those arrangements helped the team get around the salary cap. For the Celtics and the rest of the East, the ripple effect is obvious: a player of Leonards caliber changing teams can reshape the balance at the top of the conference before anyone even gets to opening night.
For now, the agreed-upon deal sending Leonard to Toronto remains on hold until the league reaches a verdict, leaving the whole situation in suspension. There is still a sense around the league that the trade will eventually be approved, and Leonard is already expected to move forward with extension talks once it is. Until then, Boston and every other contender in the East are stuck watching a high-stakes process that could end with one more major obstacle in the path to the Finals. [Read more 🡒]