Is Payton Pritchard still with the Celtics?

Morgan Wolf

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Payton Pritchard, the 23-year-old point guard for the Boston Celtics, has been a promising young player in the NBA since his debut in the 2020-2021 season. However, his playing time and role on the team have been somewhat inconsistent, leading to rumors and speculation about his future with the Celtics.

Fans and analysts alike have been eager to know whether Pritchard is still with the team and how he has been performing in the current NBA season. In this post, we will provide an update on Payton Pritchard’s status with the Celtics, including any recent developments or changes to his playing time or role.

We will also review some of Pritchard’s notable achievements and strengths, as well as his recent performance on the court. Whether you’re a Celtics fan or simply a basketball enthusiast, this post will provide a useful overview of one of the NBA’s most promising young players.

Is Payton Pritchard still with the Celtics

Source: bostonglobe.com

Who is Payton Pritchard?

Payton Pritchard is a 23-year-old point guard who was drafted 26th overall by the Boston Celtics in the 2020 NBA draft. He played college basketball at the University of Oregon, where he was a four-year starter and earned numerous honors, including Pac-12 Player of the Year in his senior season.

In his rookie season with the Celtics, Pritchard has shown flashes of potential and has emerged as a key player off the bench. He has appeared in 50 games so far, averaging 7.7 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game while shooting 43.7% from the field and 38.7% from three-point range.

One of Pritchard’s notable strengths is his shooting ability, particularly from beyond the arc. He has shown a willingness to take and make big shots in important moments and has been impressed with his shooting form and range.

Additionally, Pritchard has also demonstrated solid ball-handling and playmaking skills, which have allowed him to run the offense effectively when he is on the court.

One area where Pritchard has room for improvement is his defense. At 6’1″ and 195 pounds, he is not the biggest or most athletic player, and he has struggled at times to defend bigger or faster guards in the NBA. However, he has shown a willingness to work on his defense and has the potential to improve in this area with more experience.

Overall, Pritchard has been a promising young player for the Celtics, and many fans and analysts have high hopes for his future in the NBA. He has shown a willingness to learn and improve, and his shooting and playmaking skills make him a valuable asset to the team.

Trade Rumors and Playing Time Issues

Leading up to the 2022 NBA trade deadline, there were some rumors that Payton Pritchard may have been on the trading block for the Boston Celtics. While no official reports indicated that the team was actively shopping him, some analysts speculated that he could be a potential trade asset for the Celtics, given his age and potential.

As for why Pritchard may have wanted to be traded, it’s possible that he was looking for a situation where he could play more consistently. Despite showing some promise in his rookie season, Pritchard’s playing time has been somewhat sporadic, with some games where he has played significant minutes and others where he has barely seen the court.

This inconsistency could be frustrating for a young player who is looking to develop and establish himself in the league.

One example of a game where Pritchard excelled was a January 2022 matchup against the Houston Rockets. In that game, he scored a career-high 28 points on 10-for-17 shooting, including 6-for-8 from three-point range.

He also added four rebounds, six assists, and two steals in the win. Pritchard’s scoring outburst was a key factor in helping the Celtics secure the victory.

On the other hand, there have also been games where Pritchard has struggled or been limited in his playing time. For example, in a February 2022 game against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Pritchard played just seven minutes and did not score, record any assists or rebounds, or attempt any field goals.

It’s unclear why Pritchard was limited in that game, but it’s possible that the coaching staff was looking to try different lineups or matchups.

Overall, it’s clear that Pritchard has the potential to be a valuable player in the NBA, but his playing time and role on the Celtics have been somewhat uncertain.

Whether he will stay with the team long-term or be traded in the future remains to be seen, but there is no doubt that he has the skills and work ethic to succeed in the league.

Current Status

As of February 12, 2023, Payton Pritchard is still with the Boston Celtics. There have not been any recent reports of trade rumors or significant changes to his playing time or role on the team.

However, there have been some developments in Pritchard’s recent performance. In the 2022-2023 NBA season, he played in 52 games for the Celtics, averaging 9.2 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game.

He has also shot 43.8% from the field and 38.9% from three-point range, which is both similar to his rookie season statistics.

While Pritchard has not had any standout performances in recent games, he has been a consistent contributor off the bench for the Celtics. In a February 2023 game against the Charlotte Hornets, Pritchard scored 12 points and added three rebounds and four assists in 24 minutes of play.

He also had a game in January 2023 against the Dallas Mavericks where he scored 21 points and added six assists in a Celtics win.

Despite some ups and downs in his playing time and performance, Pritchard remains a valuable young player for the Celtics. With his shooting ability and playmaking skills, he has the potential to be a key contributor to the team’s success in the future.

It remains to be seen how his role on the team will evolve over the course of the season, but for now, he appears to be a steady presence in the Celtics’ rotation.

Table: summarizes Payton Pritchard’s basic stats for the 2022-2023 NBA season

SeasonTeamGames PlayedPoints Per GameRebounds Per GameAssists Per GameField Goal PercentageThree-Point Percentage
2022-23BOS529.22.23.343.8%38.9%

This table provides a quick snapshot of some key statistics for Pritchard in the current NBA season. It shows the number of games he has played, as well as his averages for points, rebounds, and assists per game.

It also includes his shooting percentages for field goals and three-pointers, which are important indicators of his scoring efficiency. Overall, this table provides a useful overview of Pritchard’s performance in the 2022-2023 season.

FAQ

Has Payton Pritchard been injured this season?

As of February 12, 2023, there have not been any reports of major injuries or absences for Payton Pritchard during the 2022-2023 NBA season. However, like all players, he is subject to the normal wear and tear of the season, and he may have had minor injuries or illnesses that have not been reported.

What role does Payton Pritchard play in the Boston Celtics?

Pritchard has primarily played as a backup point guard for the Celtics in his first two NBA seasons. He has been used off the bench to provide scoring, playmaking, and shooting, and has shown an ability to play both the point guard and shooting guard positions. While he has started a handful of games due to injuries, his role has been primarily as a reserve player.

What is Payton Pritchard’s contract situation?

Payton Pritchard is currently on his rookie contract with the Boston Celtics. His contract runs through the end of the 2023-2024 NBA season, after which he will become a restricted free agent. This means that the Celtics will have the right to match any offers he receives from other teams if they choose to do so.

Has Payton Pritchard won any awards or honors during his NBA career?

As of February 12, 2023, Payton Pritchard has not won any major awards or honors in his NBA career so far. However, he was named to the All-Rookie Second Team at the end of the 2020-2021 season, which is an honor given to the best first-year players in the league.

Conclusion

Payton Pritchard’s status with the Boston Celtics remains unchanged as of February 12, 2023, and he has continued to be a consistent contributor off the bench for the team.

While trade rumors and playing time issues have been a topic of discussion in the past, it appears that Pritchard is still a valued player for the Celtics and has the potential to grow and develop further in the NBA. With his shooting ability, playmaking skills, and willingness to learn, Pritchard has become a fan favorite and a valuable young player for the Celtics.

As the NBA season continues, it will be interesting to see how his role on the team evolves and whether he can continue to make an impact on the court. Whether or not he wins any awards or honors, there is no doubt that Payton Pritchard has a bright future ahead of him in the NBA.

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Morgan Wolf

Journalist with experience covering the intersection of sports with business. Demonstrated expertise in digital, video and social media content covering major sports including soccer, NBA, NFL, MLB, tennis and Olympic sports. But basketball is his passion. Specialties: expert for sports related content management LinkedIn

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