The Celtics look ready for training camp, which begins on Sept. 29.
With just 10 days remaining until the start of NBA training camp, buzz is starting to generate for the 2026-27 Boston Celtics.
Jayson Tatum and Brad Stevens have made the media rounds the last few days, and the Celtics posted pictures of Derrick White and Payton Pritchard being back in the gym.
While the pictures were just meant to drum up excitement for the season ahead, John Zannis of CLNS Media did notice something: Pritchard looks noticeably leaner this season.
How will that impact things? Who knows at this point. On the positive side of things, leaner might mean quicker, more agile and better conditioned. On the negative side, leaner could mean more prone to injury and less able to take physicality.
We'll have to wait and see, but we'll get plenty of chances to diagnose it all since Pritchard is one of the core members of the C's, especially without Jaylen Brown in the mix.
About Pritchard
Whether people agree or disagree with the move, the trade of Brown is going to open up opportunity for other members of the C's roster. The newly-acquired Paul 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 as someone who could take on even more importance.
Gonzalez, specifically, seems primed for a bigger role, but there could also be a bigger role for Pritchard.
The Oregon alum 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.
It's unclear at this point if he'll start games or reprise his role as the best Sixth Man in the League.
Up next for Boston
Training camp begins on Sept. 29 and the preseason opener is set for Oct. 8. The Celtics will play four preseason games before starting the regular season on Oct. 20 against the Pistons. Detroit was the No. 1 seed in the East last season.
