Getty Brad Stevens, Boston Celtics
Looking at the Boston Celtics‘ current roster it’s clear they’re incredibly deep at the guard position following the off-season addition of Malcolm Brogdon.
Unfortunately, that means Payton Pritchard will likely be left clawing for spot minutes throughout the 2022-23 season, and they may not sit well with the third-year guard. According to Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley, Boston’s depth at both guard positions means that Pritchard may be used as a trade chip before the February trade deadline.
A smart team will trade for Payton Pritchard while his value is low.
He can’t get a minute on the Celtics with all their PG depth. If he were on a team like the Rockets he’d be getting 25+ minutes a game and be one of their best players.
Opportunity is everything.
“Pritchard has struggled to find consistent floor time through two NBA seasons, and that could continue to be a challenge given his lack of size (6’1″, 195 lbs) and athletic limitations. However, teams could still see significant spark-plug potential in him,” Buckley wrote.
Last season, Pritchard continued to prove he can shoot the ball at an exemplary clip, converting 41.2% of his three-point attempts while also averaging 6.2 points, two assists, and 1.9 rebounds per regular-season game. However, over his 24 post-season appearances in 2022, the sharpshooting guard struggled to maintain his conversion rate from deep, watching his accuracy dip to just 33.3% on three attempts per game.
Buckley Believes Grant Williams Could Also be Traded
Another member of Boston’s roster who Buckley believes is a potential trade candidate is Grant Williams. The Tennessee native was unable to agree terms on a contract extension with the Celtics this summer and will now become a restricted free agent as a result – something which could tempt Boston to sit at the negotiating table.
“The Celtics opted against extending Williams, which could be a signal that he’s not a part of the franchise’s future plans. Should they not want to cover the cost of his upcoming free agency, they should find a healthy market of interested suitors,” Buckey wrote.
No rookie extension deals for Phoenix’s Cam Johnson, Charlotte’s P.J. Washington or Boston’s Grant Williams — all headed to restricted free agency next summer, sources tell ESPN.
Throughout pre-season Williams flashed an improved off-the-dribble game and looked capable of attacking close-outs on the perimeter – if those improvements turn out to be genuine, then his offensive upside will quickly increase, and thus, he will become even more integral to Boston’s bench rotation. As such, it is highly unlikely Boston would consider trading away such a talented member of the second unit unless it was part of a package to bring another superstar to the TD Garden.
Detroit Could Emerge as Suitors For Williams
Next summer, Williams will be a restricted free agent – meaning he’s free to discuss contractual terms with any team in the NBA, but Boston still has the right to match any offer sheet.
According to an Eastern Conference Executive, who spoke with Heavy.com’s Sean Deveney under the condition of anonymity, the Detroit Pistons could emerge as genuine candidates to prise Williams away from Boston, if they’re willing to pay slightly over the odds.
Grant Williams seems like a guy Boston would want to keep around a while, but I guess he’s also a valuable trade chip