Payton Pritchard Could be Main Factor in Boston Celtics Success This Season

The Boston Celtics will have a re-tooled roster this upcoming season, and question marks surrounding it.

The Celtics added multi-time All-Star wing Paul George, defending NBA champion and center Mitchell Robinson and veteran point guard Mike Conley this offseason, which a clear emphasis on improving the defensive capabilities of the team.

However, there's still a question over how the team will fit on offense.

Former NBA Finals MVP Jaylen Brown was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers this past offseason in return for George (and draft picks). Robinson will likely split time in the front court with Neemias Queta, who's coming off a career-best season and a contract extension.

And point guard Payton Pritchard will likely play a focal role in getting all the new pieces to fit together on offense.

Pritchard is coming off his sixth season in the NBA and the first as Boston's primary point guard after spending years as the team's sixth man, including winning the Sixth Man of the Year in 2025.

The former Oregon Duck posted his best season as a professional in the 2025-26 season. He averaged 17 points per game on 46.4% shooting from the floor (37.7% from 3-point range) across 79 games (50 starts). He also averaged 5.2 assists and 3.9 rebounds, both of which were career-highs.

Pritchard's growth as a scorer was important for the team, which was without superstar Jayson Tatum for the majority of the team. But his facilitating took a big jump even without Tatum in the fold.

Pritchard will enter this season as the team's starting point guard and will be backed up by one of the most respected veterans in the Association in Conley. This will allow Pritchard to manage the offense when Tatum doesn't have the ball in his hands. Conley coming off the bench will also allow the Celtics to maintain their defensive pressure when Pritchard isn't on the court.

Being able to make sure Queta continues his impact from his career-best season as the team's starting center while maximizing George and Robinson's impact on the offensive end of the court will be key for Boston to having the best results possible this upcoming season.

Pritchard, as the point guard of the offense, will be tasked as the floor general to make sure that happens.

The Celtics and Pritchard will play their first preseason game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at 7 p.m. ET on Oct. 8 at Rocket Arena in Cleveland.