Payton Pritchard ‘made it clear’ that he wants to be traded this offseason

Payton Pritchard ‘made it clear’ that he wants to be traded this offseason

After seemingly falling out of the rotation behind Derrick White, Malcolm Brogdon and Marcus Smart, Boston Celtics point guard Payton Pritchard has ‘made it clear’ that he wants to be traded this offseason, according to The Athletic‘s Jay King and Jared Weiss.

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This season, Pritchard seemed to have a dip in playing time with the addition of Brogdon. Pritchard, who is only 25-years-old, only saw the floor for 57 minutes these playoffs, including 33 minutes in the Eastern Conference Finals. These are worse than what he saw in the regular season, when he averaged 13.4 minutes per night across 46 games. But, in the playoffs, he was barely licking a minute, averaging only 5.7.

The former Oregon Duck has expressed interest of being traded in the past. Only a few months back, around the NBA trade deadline is when Pritchard showed wanting of a trade.

“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.”

(Quote via Gary Washburn.)

2020 NBA Draft Prospect Spotlight: Payton Pritchard

The reason behind Pritchard’s wanting out of Boston is his lack of role with the Celtics. His minutes have dropped to around the fifth lowest on the team. But, when he is on the floor, Pritchard is quite effective per 100 possessions. Pritchard averaged 21 points, six rebounds and five assists per 100, shooting 40 percent from deep this season.

Can Pritchard revitalize his career outside of Boston? Or will the Celtics continue to hold on to the 25-year-old, dragging out his young career?

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