Payton Pritchard’s new Celtics extension has already sparked debate.
Boston locked him in for two more years on Tuesday with a $44 million deal, and the contract gives the guard a clear reward for a season that raised his profile inside the organization. Last year, Pritchard posted career-best numbers across the board, averaging 17.0 points, 4.0 rebounds and 5.2 assists in 79 games. The deal nearly tripled his annual salary.
Not everyone around the league sees it the same way, though. According to The Stein Line’s Jake Fischer, the extension has drawn “mixed opinions among front office personnel,” with some believing Pritchard could have pushed harder and “insisted upon a trade kicker.”
“The 2025 Sixth Man of the Year likewise still has two seasons left on a four-year, $30 million deal. And he'll be extension-eligible once again in 2028, which is the same year he would have reached unrestricted free agency at 30 years without the latest extension. One cap strategist I spoke to said he felt that Pritchard could have commanded $30 million in average annual value on the open market that summer had he waited,” wrote Fischer.
Fischer also made the case that Pritchard did just fine for himself.
“Pritchard did secure a mutual option in Year 2 of his extension and now possesses more future years and money on his contract than most free agents found available in this past summer's marketplace,” noted Fischer.
The Celtics guard also got a public nod from Joe Mazzulla, who called him a “great competitor.”
With Jaylen Brown gone, Pritchard is expected to be in Boston’s starting group next season alongside Derrick White, Jayson Tatum, Paul George and Neemias Queta.
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Mitchell Robinsons arrival in Boston has already added a different kind of energy to Celtics camp, and it has not taken long for him to get a feel for Joe Mazzullas demanding approach. The big man is adjusting to a system that asks a lot of its players, and the early returns have given Celtics fans something to keep an eye on as the preseason unfolds.
In Sundays win over Charlotte, Robinson showed a glimpse of what he can bring when he is comfortable and active around the rim. He logged 17 minutes, finished with 12 points and 7 rebounds, and did it while shooting cleanly in a 114-93 victory that also featured strong work from Jayson Tatum and Derrick White. The more interesting part may be how Robinson responds as the games and the coaching pressure keep building. [Read more 🡒]
Payton Pritchard May Have Forced A Celtics Offensive Rethink
Payton Pritchard has always been valued for his energy and shot-making, but a preseason performance like this hinted at something more useful to Bostons new-look offense. In the Celtics win over Charlotte, he kept the ball moving, helped tilt the flow of the game and gave the staff another reason to think beyond the usual guard rotations as they sort through a roster built around Jayson Tatum and Paul George.
Pritchards passing touch matters because Boston is still figuring out how all the pieces fit together, and a reliable table-setter can change the shape of those decisions. The Celtics are 3-0 in the preseason and still have time to test different combinations before the opener, but this was the kind of outing that can push a team to reconsider where its offense should begin. [Read more 🡒]
Celtics May Have A New Answer For Last Year's Offensive Problem
Boston spent much of last season looking for cleaner offense from the front of the floor, and the early preseason signs suggest the Celtics may have found a different way to get there. The addition of two centers with limited offensive resumes could still matter a lot if they can make life easier for the ball-handlers, and Neemias Queta has already shown a willingness to fit into that flow. Early on, the fit has looked promising enough to keep the team interested in what this next version of the attack might become.
Mitchell Robinson has been part of that same early feel, giving Boston another big who can potentially change the shape of possessions even without needing touches called for him. His comments pointed to the work behind the scenes, with the adjustment centered on understanding teammates and staying in constant communication as everyone learns the Celtics style. If that keeps building, the team may have a more reliable answer to one of last years nagging offensive issues, even if the full payoff is still ahead. [Read more 🡒]