Boston guard Payton Pritchard says the Celtics remain focused on a championship run even after payroll-driven moves sent Jrue Holiday to Portland and Kristaps Porzingis to Atlanta. Speaking on the “Celtics Talk” podcast released Aug. 6, the reigning Sixth Man of the Year emphasized that the franchise’s lone standard “is to win a championship,” adding that every player in the locker room shares that goal.
Pritchard acknowledged it “definitely sucks” to lose Holiday, Porzingis and Luke Kornet, noting he will particularly miss Holiday, whom he called “like a big brother.” With Jayson Tatum sidelined by a torn Achilles, Pritchard—who logged a career-high 28.4 minutes per game last season—expects teammates to seize larger roles. “There’s a lot of opportunities across the board,” he said. “I’m definitely hungry and motivated this year.”
Knicks Cap Picture Tightens Around Bridges Deal
Mikal Bridges’ four-year, $150 million extension could push New York into second-apron territory next season if the club also brings back Mitchell Robinson, according to salary-cap analyst Yossi Gozlan. Bridges accepted roughly $6.17 million less than his maximum, but an uncommon 5.69 percent trade kicker would award him about the same amount if he is dealt during the 2026 offseason.
In a mailbag for The Athletic, James L. Edwards III examined Robinson’s future, the timing of Bridges’ extension, and reported that the Knicks—along with numerous other teams—are tracking Giannis Antetokounmpo’s status in Milwaukee. Edwards also wrote that he would not endorse even a minimum-salary gamble on free-agent guard Ben Simmons.
Imagem: Luke Adams via hoopsrumors.com
Nets Consider Risks of Another Tank
After drawing the No. 8 pick in the 2025 draft lottery, the Brooklyn Nets appear prepared to prioritize draft position again in 2025-26, Brian Lewis of the New York Post reported. One agent cautioned that extended losing streaks can “erode the environment you’re trying to create,” citing Philadelphia’s previous rebuild as an example of the potential cultural cost of multi-year tanking strategies.
Source: HoopsRumors
