Celtics point guard Payton Pritchard confided in an interview regarding his decline at the end of the bench. He admits wanting to play more, while the latter had convinced following two decent first seasons. The combo-guard is taking advantage of recent blowouts to show the league what he’s really worth.
Everything is going well for Boston. The team now has the best record in the league, is regarding to send 3 names to the All-Star game, and is positioned as a formidable force for the Playoffs. Almost all the lights are green. For Payton Pritchard, being part of this dominating team is more of a burden than an opportunity. 26e choice of the 2020 Draft – currently in his third NBA season – had to reason with warming up the bench for his comrades: only 12 minutes of play on average this season, and do not count more than 5 points per game for the friend Pritch . Still, the fullback was coming off of two acceptable regular firsts. During his first freelance, the combo guard took advantage of the absence of Kemba Walker to win in energizer on which to rely to turn the tide of a match. He even got the 4e playing time behind the Tatum-Brown-Smart triplet, before suffering from rookie wall like so many players before him. Zou, replaced by the arrival of Dennis Schröder in 2021, then that of Malcom Brogdon last summer.
Inevitably, the Celtics player would like to express the extent of his talent. In the podcast Point Forward Hosted by Andre Iguodala and Evan Turner, Pritch opened up regarding his future in Boston.
“Obviously, following this season, I would like to have a bigger role. That’s what I work for. I think Brad [Stevens] and others know it too. […] I want to be part of a team with a winning culture, but above all I want to help with that, and be a big factor in that success. »
Although aware of its role and the hierarchy established within the teamPayton Pritchard still wants the chance to show what he is worth.
“I’m not saying I’m the best player on this team, but I don’t know what my future will be like unless I can take the next step. I don’t know what I’ll be doing in 5 or 10 years, but I want to be able to look back and tell myself that I gave it my all. »
A chance that the Boston guard seized. In recent days, he has outstripped Sam Hauser in the Celtics’ rotation. He takes advantage of extra playing time in the absence of Marcus Smart and Derrick White and makes brilliant entries. In Toronto, he even put up 12 points in a quarter with the game winner to the key. A recent performance that prompted Joe Mazzulla to question himself. theinsider Brian Robb said several teams have expressed an interest in Pritchard, but the C’s wouldn’t see any way to improve their roster by trading him.
PAYTON PRITCHARD FOR THE LEAD ????pic.twitter.com/h0IGMj1U8d
— Celtics Nation (@CelticsNationCP) January 22, 2023
There is only one season left on Pritchard’s contract following this one. With the returns of White and Smart, it remains predictable to see the playing time of the back relapse. Will there be a surprise exchange before the evening of February 9?