After trading away Marcus Smart, the Boston Celtics are expected to elevate Payton Pritchard‘s role in the rotation, allowing him to consume some additional minutes at the point guard position and have a consistent role. Pritchard found himself on the outskirts of Joe Mazzulla‘s gameplan last year, as guard minutes became tight due to the strong three-man rotation of Smart, Derrick White, and Malcolm Brogdon.
With a larger role likely, Pritchard will need to prove the Celtics are right for trusting him rather than acquiring a veteran guard to fill his spot. Pritchard will be entering his fourth NBA season and has proven himself as a floor-spacing guard who can play on and off-ball on the offensive end. The Oregon product is also a sneaky-good offensive rebounder and will guard his yard on the defensive side of the floor.
Buy Celtics TicketsNevertheless, the 6-foot-1 guard needs to show improvements to his overall game. Here are three things Pritchard could work on during the upcoming season.
Add some off-the-dribble creation
If he’s attacking the rim, Pritchard can use his changes of speed and tight handle to create a scoring angle. However, the 6-foot-1 guard has often struggled when looking to score or assist off the bounce. Instead, Pritchard primarily plays an off-ball role, where he’s utilized as a small screener or a catch-and-shoot threat. In truth, that will likely be his role again next season.
However, there will be possessions where Pritchard needs to orchestrate the offense. When coming off screens, the fourth-year guard will need to prove he’s capable of either scoring or making the right read and finding his man with a reliable pass.
Pritchard’s game needs to be about more than hitting deep shots; improving his off-the-dribble game will be a vital part of that development.
Push the pace
They don’t call him “Fast PP” for nothing!
Joe Mazzulla likes the Celtics to run a fast-paced offense that flows into early actions and puts the defense under pressure. Pritchard may not have an explosive burst, but his top speed is enviable and could be a legitimate weapon in the Celtics’ bid to improve the overall pace of their play.
Prove his overall value
Last season, Pritchard made it very clear that he would prefer to be traded if he couldn’t get consistent minutes with the Celtics. Fast forward through the offseason, and it looks like Pritchard will get his wish and now has a chance to reintegrate himself into the primary rotation.
With a bigger role on offer and a chance to start building some value around the league, Pritchard will be under pressure to prove his value to the Celtics. After all, he asked for the opportunity, and now he’s got it.
