Payton Pritchard turned last season into the best stretch of his Celtics career, and that’s why the conversation around him this year is so interesting. He logged career highs across the board, averaging 17 points, 5.2 assists and 3.9 rebounds while starting 50 of the 79 games he played. Even with a slight dip in efficiency, it was a strong season for the Oregon alum and a sign that his role in Boston can keep expanding.
The wrinkle now is where that production fits once the new season opens. After the Jaylen Brown trade, Pritchard could be in line for even more responsibility on offense. The question is whether that growth comes with him in the starting lineup or as Boston’s top option off the bench.
There’s a clean argument for putting him with the starters. If the Celtics simply want to roll out their five best players, Pritchard belongs in that group alongside Derrick White, Paul George, Jayson Tatum and either Neemias Queta or Mitchell Robinson. Sometimes the answer is that simple.
And Boston has reasons to want another creator next to Tatum. White’s shooting took a step back last season, while George comes with age and injury concerns that could cost him time.
Pritchard gives the Celtics a secondary playmaker who can ease the load on both. He finished third on the team in assists last season, behind White’s 5.4 and Tatum’s 5.3, and there’s a case to be made that he’s the team’s second-best facilitator.
That kind of ballhandling in the starting five would make sense.
But there’s just as strong a case for keeping him in his sixth man role. Boston would lose its most proven creator off the bench if Pritchard starts, and that could leave the second unit thin offensively. His scoring punch is useful there, especially when the rest of the bench options are less established.
The Celtics could also prefer a more off-ball look in the starting group if White and George are handling more of the creation. That was part of the thinking last season when Boston used either Sam Hauser or Baylor Scheierman as a starter after Tatum returned from injury.
And if the Celtics want more defense in that lineup, Pritchard’s size can be a factor. Hugo Gonzalez and Jordan Walsh both offer more on that end.
For now, the likeliest answer is that Pritchard opens the season on the bench. That feels like the best fit for the team, especially if Boston wants his scoring preserved for the second unit.
Still, it wouldn’t be a surprise if he starts some games and remains a closing option either way. His offense is too valuable to keep on the sideline when the game is on the line.
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