Celtics’ Payton Pritchard Could ‘Play Hardball’ on Contract Decision

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Payton Pritchard #11 of the Boston Celtics

If there has been some magic that has been conjured up by Boston Celtics team president Brad Stevens, who has seemed to bring in players who have had no issue being developed into rock-solid rotation players, then in no place has it been more evident than point guard Payton Pritchard. Not only did Stevens himself begin the process of bringing Pritchard along in the first season of his NBA career (it was Danny Ainge who drafted him), but Stevens also got him to sign a rock-bottom value contract worth $30 million over four years, in 2023.

That happened to be when Pritchard was at his worst, averaging just 5.6 points on 41.2% shooting after he suffered foot and thigh injuries and appeared to be regressing. There was some risk on the Celtics’ part. But to see where Pritchard is now, averaging 17.0 points and 5.2 assists, with 3.9 rebounds after having won the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year Award last season, it’s hard to believe the bargain money the Celtics are paying him.

All good things must end, though. And this summer will be a test of what happens next for Pritchard and the Celtics.

Payton Pritchard Up for New Celtics Contract

That’s because Pritchard is eligible for a Celtics extension. Under normal circumstances, that would be a good opportunity for Boston to step up and pay Pritchard what he’s worth. NBA rules don’t allow that, though, because the contract he is on now is such a bargain, which places a limit on there is a limit what Boston can offer Pritchard, even with Bird rights.

At most, the team can offer him 140% of what is estimated to be the average salary at the end of his contract. Currently, that’s projected at near $16 million, which would put Pritchard’s starting number at about $22 million. That means an extension in the range of three years and $75 million.

Again, the Celtics can only do this on an estimated basis, but even that might not quite be enough to get Pritchard to sign on with the Celtics this summer. It’s likely they would offer it. But it’s uncertain that Pritchard would take it.

‘Wise to Wait on Any Extension’

Here’s how one Eastern Conference executive sizes up the Celtics’ situation with Pritchard, if they’re seeking a long term deal this offseason:

“He is probably wise to wait on any extension he is going get offered from the Celtics. He probably wants to stay, he is such a perfect fit for their personnel and he does not seem like a guy who is out there wanting more shots, more minutes, more touches. He knows his role.

“But look, everything is going up in two years–salary cap, tax line. There will be more money, there will be more free-agent money, too. So if you’re Pritchard, why would you sign with the Celtics now? Play hardball. Whatever money they offer now is going to be there later. Security and injury, those are good reasons to take the money. He can make more though, by waiting. And there is only the slimmest chance he would make less.”

Sean Deveney is a veteran sports reporter covering the NBA, NFL and MLB for Heavy.com. He has written for Heavy since 2019 and has more than two decades of experience covering the NBA, including 17 years as the lead NBA reporter for the Sporting News. Deveney is the author of 7 nonfiction books, including “Fun City,” “Before Wrigley became Wrigley,” and “Facing Michael Jordan.” More about Sean Deveney