The Boston Celtics are set to commence their preseason, but their offseason activities are far from over. On Sunday, point guard Payton Pritchard inked a four-year, $30 million contract extension with the Celtics.

Pritchard, a 25-year-old who has been with the Celtics since he was drafted in 2020, has rarely seen more than 20 minutes of play per game in a single season. With veteran guard Marcus Smart now in Memphis and the reigning Sixth Man of the Year, Malcolm Brogdon, in Portland, Pritchard has the opportunity to secure more playing time.

As we approach the 2023-24 NBA season, it’s time to evaluate Pritchard’s new contract and assess whether it was a favorable deal for the Celtics.

Payton Pritchard’s Contract Grade: B+

There’s no denying Pritchard’s offensive potential. The Oregon native possesses a reliable shooting ability and can quickly become a scoring spark coming off the bench. During his rookie season, when he had the most playing time of his young career, he averaged 7.7 points per game and shot an efficient 44% from the field. With an increased workload this season, it’s hoped that Pritchard can maintain a similar level of production and justify his $30 million price tag.

However, in today’s NBA, $7.5 million per year doesn’t carry the same weight it once did. Many bench players, including those of Pritchard’s caliber, are earning more.

Take Indiana Pacers guard T.J. McConnell, for instance. The 31-year-old played approximately 20 minutes per game and averaged 9 points last season, all while earning $8.7 million this year and potentially $9.3 million in the next season. While McConnell excels defensively compared to Pritchard, his contract serves as a reasonable benchmark for evaluating the Celtics’ latest deal.

Regarding Pritchard’s defense, if he wants to secure more playing time, he must enhance his defensive skills. Standing at 6-foot-1, he’s somewhat undersized for the modern NBA, and his steals per game have never exceeded 0.6. While the Celtics don’t expect him to be a defensive standout, he must not be a liability on the court for opponents to exploit. Improving his two-way play could turn this contract into a significant win.

For now, it represents a solid deal that should keep Pritchard content. The former Bob Cousy Award winner hasn’t always been content during his time in Boston, and he has reportedly sought a trade at least once. The obvious destination seemed to be Portland, given Pritchard’s Oregon ties, but instead, Malcolm Brogdon and Robert Williams III were traded to the Blazers for two-time All-Star Jrue Holiday. Pritchard stayed and appears to be in Boston for the foreseeable future.

Yet, with Pritchard’s reasonable contract, he could become a valuable trade asset. Celtics President Brad Stevens has shown a willingness to make player deals, so it remains a possibility.

Currently, Pritchard will come off the bench behind Holiday and Derrick White at the start of the 2023-24 season. While it may not be his ideal situation, he has an opportunity to earn more playing time, especially considering his solid preseason performance. Celtics teammate Sam Hauser even expressed his belief in Pritchard’s readiness for a significant role in the upcoming season.

“He’s out for blood,” Hauser said.

If he can sustain that momentum into the new season, Pritchard could have a meaningful impact on an already talented Celtics roster.