The guard talked with CLNS Celtics about the trade that completely changed the outlook of the C's roster.
Earlier this summer, the Boston Celtics agreed to trade 10-year veteran Jaylen Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers for Paul George and a handful of draft picks.
The move completely shakes up the Celtics - and the Eastern Conference - and is the main driver in why we think the Celtics are headed for a No. 5 or No. 6 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs next year.
Speaking with CLNS Celtics this weekend, C's guard Payton Pritchard discussed the deal, saying that it stinks to see a longtime teammate go, but he added that you have to move on and get ready to battle against him.
And it certainly will be quite a battle as the new-look 76ers appear to be one of the favorites for the NBA title this year, especially after adding LeBron James into the mix as well.
Impact on Pritchard
Whether people like it or not, the trade of Brown is going to open up opportunity for other members of the C's roster. George will obviously come in and have a chance to make a real impact, but young players like Hugo Gonzalez and Baylor Scheierman will have chances as well. Sam Hauser is also in the mix.
Gonzalez, specifically, seems primed for a bigger role, but there could also be a bigger role for Pritchard.
Pritchard had a breakout campaign in 2025-26 as he averaged 17.0 ppg and shot nearly 38 percent from three-point range. While Jayson Tatum will come back and re-assume his role as the engine that drives the offensive attack, Pritchard will have the ball in his hands a ton.
He'll be able to initiate offense with the ball in his hands and he'll be able to create looks for teammates. His assist numbers could continue to improve and his usage rate will likely raise as well.
Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard (11) looks on during the fourth quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Bill Streicher-Imagn ImagesElsewhere for the Celtics
The 76ers aren't the only Celtics rival that is getting better this offseason: The Cleveland Cavaliers added Peyton Watson this week in a trade with the Denver Nuggets while the Miami Heat added Klay Thompson on a free agent deal after he was bought out by the Dallas Mavericks.
The Celtics and Heat will play each other on Christmas Day this season, marking one of several meetings between the two teams.
Miami also added Giannis Antetokounmpo this offseason, giving them a deeper roster and a greater chance to compete in the East. They missed the playoffs last season after being part of the play-in tournament.
