Payton Pritchard Was Rooting For The Celtics To Trade Him

Payton Pritchard Was Rooting For The Celtics To Trade Him

The Celtics have the best record in the NBA, but not everyone is thrilled about their role on the team. Payton Pritchard is buried in the depth chart and wants a larger role. So much so that he was actually rooting for the Celtics to trade him at the 2023 NBA Trade Deadline.

Pritchard recently spoke to Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe talking about his desire to get moved for a bigger opportunity.

Payton Pritchard regroups after wanting a trade from the #Celtics ahead of the deadline https://t.co/MxmDGHnxW5 via @BostonGlobe

— gary washburn (@GwashburnGlobe) February 11, 2023

“I definitely was expecting and hoping [for a trade]” 

“But you know, I [have to] look at the good things,” Pritchard told Washburn. “We’re the best team in the NBA right now, and we have a great team with really good players, so for me it’s an opportunity to learn and keep growing.”

Pritchard, 25, is averaging 4.7 points, 1.5 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game across 12.6 minutes per night. That’s actually down roughly seven minutes a night from his rookie season two years ago. With Malcolm Brogdon, Marcus Smart, and Derrick White on the roster, the former Oregon standout is hungry for a larger role.

It’s understandable why Pritchard wants more minutes but at the same time why go here? Boston is in the middle of a championship run and Pritchard is under contract next year as well. Even after the following year, Boston holds restricted free agent rights. Pritchard is a good player but to complain about being in this situation seems ridiculous on the surface.

2020 NBA Draft Prospect Spotlight: Payton Pritchard

Boston also has Yam Madar stashed overseas and JD Davison could become an option to fill Pritchard’s role next year. If Pritchard wants out, I’m sure Brad Stevens will oblige. Either way, it’s fair to question Pritchard’s motives. Yes, he’s looking to try to maximize a future payday but does he really have it that bad? Would you rather be stuck in Detroit and losing all the time?

Side note: Payton Pritchard was almost traded for Jakob Poeltl. Instead, the Celtics landed Mike Muscala. Check out our full trade deadline tracker here.

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