The 2025-26 NBA season is coming up quickly. For the Boston Celtics, it’s a year that many don’t think will be extremely competitive.
After Jayson Tatum’s torn Achilles injury last season in the playoffs, the Celtics were also forced to part ways with both Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis in the offseason. Losing those three players will make things much more difficult.
Despite the difficulties, Boston will need to find ways to survive. The team will need other players to step up and play at a higher level.
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One of those players will be none other than 27-year-old point guard Payton Pritchard. He has been a key part of the second unit since being drafted No. 26 overall in the 2020 NBA Draft.
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What should fans expect from the former Oregon standout this season? Quite simply, he seems likely to be headed for a starting job.
According to a report from NBA reporter Grant Afseth of FastbreakJournal.com, the Celtics appear likely to start Pritchard in the back-court while having Anfernee Simons come off the bench. Simons was the key return from the Portland Trail Blazers in the Holiday trade.
“The Boston Celtics appear poised to elevate Payton Pritchard into the starting lineup while using Anfernee Simons as a high-scoring option off the bench for the 2025–26 season if he remains on the roster, sources informed FastbreakJournal.com,” Afseth wrote.
Of course, Boston has been rumored to be open to trading Simons.
Last season with the Celtics, Pritchard played in 80 games and made just three starts all year. He averaged a career-high 14.3 points per game to go along with 3.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 0.9 steals, while shooting 47.2 percent from the floor and knocking down 40.7 percent of his three-point attempts.
Pritchard looks more than capable of handling a larger role. He may get that opportunity this season.
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Should Pritchard step into the starting lineup, Boston would likely have a starting five of Pritchard, Derrick White, Jaylen Brown, Sam Hauser, and Neemias Queta or Chris Boucher.
At least for now, Pritchard seems to be headed for a much bigger role than he has ever had this season. He’s a major fan favorite for Celtics fans, so this news will bring a lot of excitement to the city.
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