The sting of last playoff's early exit, a brutal collapse after a 3-1 lead over Philadelphia, still lingers, and then the gut punch of trading Jaylen Brown to the 76ers. Yeah, it's been a rough stretch for the Celtics faithful. But with actual games on the court, even if it's Summer League action, all eyes are turning to what's next for the squad, and specifically, to Payton Pritchard.
Pritchard's Unseen Consistency and a Risky Bet
Last season, Payton Pritchard was the definition of reliable, whether he was running with the starters or coming off the bench. In fifty games as a starter, he dropped nearly 17 points and dished out five assists. Guess what he did coming off the bench? Yep, seventeen points and five assists. Talk about consistency! The one big difference, though, was his three-point shooting percentage: it jumped from 35% off the bench to a scorching 43% when he started. That kind of jump isn't small; it really shows what he can do with more opportunity and a clearer role. Yahoo Sports’ Tom Haberstroh made an early offseason observation that really makes you think: he said the Celtics trading Brown is a massive bet that Pritchard is their very own version of New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson. You know, a smaller player who didn't fully unleash his talents until a superstar like Luka Dončić wasn't hogging the spotlight anymore. We saw flashes of that last year, and it truly looks like the Celtics are banking hard on that potential paying off in a huge way for them.Big Questions Loom as Contract Talks Approach
This isn't just about Pritchard's play on the court; it's about his future with the team and a serious bag of cash. With two years left on his current team-friendly deal, he's eligible for a contract extension. A significant step-up in responsibility, like regaining that starting spot for good, could absolutely lead to higher production and, ultimately, a well-deserved, nice payday for PP. That's big money on the line, for him and for the franchise's cap sheet. But Pritchard isn't the only question mark as we head towards training camp in September. The fanbase is buzzing about a few other huge decisions. Does Mitchell Robinson snag the starting center spot over the incumbent Neemias Queta? That's a battle for the paint that could define the rotation. And then there’s the talk about Paul George: would it truly make sense to bring him in and make him our next great sixth man? These are not minor tweaks; these are foundational questions that will shape the entire season. While we’re all looking ahead to September and those huge roster decisions, there's still some immediate action. If you’re tuned into the squad tearing it up in Sin City, just know that our Summer Cs are slated as +4.5 underdogs against the Charlotte Hornets this Sunday, according to our friends at FanDuel. It's a small glimpse of the future, but every game, every possession, every player showing out is setting the stage for what’s going to be a fascinating season. Let's see what these young guys can do!This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.