Celtics Interest in Drafting Payton Pritchard Trade

 

Despite the NBA’s best 25-10 start, the Boston Celtics are still in the rumor mill, with outside groups reportedly interested in a veteran guard.

 

 

Peyton Pritchard has yet to see much playing time in his third season. In 21 games, he played a career-low 10.5 minutes. However, according to Heavy’s Steve Bulpett, that has yet to stop him from getting interested with enough time before the Feb. 9 trade deadline.

 

 

Not surprisingly, Payton Pritchard’s new situation has other teams spooked. The club has been investigating whether he’s worth pursuing in a trade (he’s making $2.2 million this year and $4 million next year).

 

 

Given how stacked the Celtics are at linebacker this season, Pritchard’s odd man needs to be more present. Boston already has a right-hand man in assists leader Marcus Smart. Last season, they brought in Derrick White, and in the offseason, they got Malcolm Brogdon, who led all reserves in scoring with 13.3 points.

 

 

 

 

On the other hand, Pritchard had been held for a few minutes. He’s averaging 4.4 points on four field goal attempts and 1.2 assists per game, both career lows. On Dec. 21 against the Indiana Pacers, Pritchard had just three points and four assists in 17 minutes.

 

 

His efficiency in knocking down outside shots has also diminished—the 24-year-old shot a career-worst 34% from 3-point range on just 2.4 attempts. Pritchard missed two-plus 3-point attempts in eight games in December.

 

 

However, the courtroom struggles did not cause potential suitors to look the other way. An anonymous league source noted that several teams are “checking in” on the Oregon product.

 

 

With Boston’s trio of better options, Pritchard was just a piece of insurance. A move before the trade deadline has a sense for both sides.

 

Celtics Interest in Drafting Payton Pritchard Trade

 

Despite the NBA’s best 25-10 start, the Boston Celtics are still in the rumor mill, with outside groups reportedly interested in a veteran guard.

 

 

Peyton Pritchard has yet to see much playing time in his third season. In 21 games, he played a career-low 10.5 minutes. However, according to Heavy’s Steve Bulpett, that has yet to stop him from getting interested with enough time before the Feb. 9 trade deadline.

 

 

Not surprisingly, Payton Pritchard’s new situation has other teams spooked. The club has been investigating whether he’s worth pursuing in a trade (he’s making $2.2 million this year and $4 million next year).

 

 

Given how stacked the Celtics are at linebacker this season, Pritchard’s odd man needs to be more present. Boston already has a right-hand man in assists leader Marcus Smart. Last season, they brought in Derrick White, and in the offseason, they got Malcolm Brogdon, who led all reserves in scoring with 13.3 points.

 

 

 

 

On the other hand, Pritchard had been held for a few minutes. He’s averaging 4.4 points on four field goal attempts and 1.2 assists per game, both career lows. On Dec. 21 against the Indiana Pacers, Pritchard had just three points and four assists in 17 minutes.

 

 

His efficiency in knocking down outside shots has also diminished—the 24-year-old shot a career-worst 34% from 3-point range on just 2.4 attempts. Pritchard missed two-plus 3-point attempts in eight games in December.

 

 

However, the courtroom struggles did not cause potential suitors to look the other way. An anonymous league source noted that several teams are “checking in” on the Oregon product.

 

 

With Boston’s trio of better options, Pritchard was just a piece of insurance. A move before the trade deadline has a sense for both sides.