The Boston Celtics are gearing up for their upcoming season with some preseason matchups underway. In these early exhibitions, the team has shown promise by securing wins against the Philadelphia 76ers while facing a loss to the New York Knicks. It’s important to remember that preseason results should be taken with a grain of salt, but one highly encouraging development has been the performance of Payton Pritchard.

Last season, Pritchard often found himself on the bench behind players like Marcus Smart, Derrick White, and Malcolm Brogdon in the backcourt rotation. Many speculated that Pritchard would be traded during the offseason. However, as offseason moves saw Smart and Brogdon depart, and the arrival of Jrue Holiday, it became clear that Pritchard would have a more significant role with the Celtics.

Pritchard’s potential was reaffirmed when he signed a four-year, $30 million contract extension with the Celtics. The preseason has shown that this deal could be a steal for Boston. Pritchard is expected to be a key player coming off the bench this season, and his performance suggests that the Celtics will benefit from his leadership in directing the second unit’s offense.

Payton Pritchard has proven himself ready for this new role with the Celtics. Since being selected as the 26th overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, Pritchard has steadily established his place in the Celtics’ rotation. His rookie season showcased his ability to provide a spark off the bench, with impressive averages of 7.7 points per game, 2.4 rebounds, and 1.8 assists, along with strong shooting percentages.

Despite a reduction in playing time due to the addition of more backcourt talent, Pritchard’s value on the offensive end remains evident. He’s a skilled scorer who can efficiently contribute to the team’s point tally. Pritchard is versatile in his ability to operate on and off the ball and excels as a catch-and-shoot player. His scoring prowess, combined with his wise decision-making, will likely be on full display as he takes on a greater role this season, running the second unit’s offense.

In the preseason, Pritchard has consistently outperformed opposing team’s reserves, emerging as Boston’s leading scorer in each of their first three preseason games while maintaining impressive efficiency. His early preseason stats demonstrate his impact on the court.