Payton Pritchard went from wanting to leave Boston to being a part of the Celtics’ long-term plans.
Pritchard’s agent verified to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski on Sunday that he had agreed to a four-year, $30 million deal extension with the Celtics. His current annual contract of $7.5 million from 2024 to 2028 would place him eighth on the club behind Jrue Holiday, Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Kristaps Porzingis, Derrick White, and Al Horford.
Last season, the 25-year-old guard was buried on Boston’s depth chart behind Marcus Smart, White, and Malcolm Brogdon, and he made it clear that he wanted a greater role this season. Pritchard was the subject of trade rumors this offseason and was allegedly on the Portland Trail Blazers’ radar, but he chose to stay.
put, while Marcus Smart and Brogdon left and Jrue Holiday was acquired in a trade.
Because Pritchard is now the third point guard on the depth chart behind Holiday and White, the backcourt shuffle could provide him with the expanded role he craves. Last season, the fourth-year guard averaged career lows in points (5.6 per game), minutes (13.4 per game), and 3-point percentage (36.4 percent), but he is still a career 40% 3-point shooter who will seek to offer an offensive spark off the bench for Boston.
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