The Boston Celtics intend to elevate guard Payton Pritchard to the starting five for the 2025-26 season after sending veteran Jrue Holiday to the Portland Trail Blazers, according to a report from FastbreakJournal.com.
Pritchard, 27, is coming off a breakout campaign in which he captured the NBA’s 2024-25 Sixth Man of the Year award. The fifth-year guard averaged 14.3 points, 3.8 rebounds and 3.5 assists while shooting 47.2% from the field, 40.7% from three-point range and 84.5% at the foul line over 80 games (28.4 minutes per contest).
Although Pritchard started only three games last season, he produced 21.7 points, 5.0 rebounds and 7.3 assists in 35.1 minutes per outing in those appearances. Boston’s coaching staff believes the former No. 26 overall pick has earned a promotion after “years of steady development,” the report states. The Oregon product is entering the second season of a four-year, $30 million rookie-scale extension.
The trade with Portland brought in Anfernee Simons, whom league sources say the Celtics have been shopping. If he remains on the roster, Simons is expected to take over Pritchard’s former role as an offensive spark off the bench. Simons, 26, is entering the final year of his contract worth $27.7 million.
Pritchard will be starting his sixth NBA season when Boston opens training camp this fall, aiming to solidify his place in a revamped backcourt as the Celtics chase another deep postseason run.
Source: Hoops Rumors
