We're now 13 days out from training camp! Today, as part of the "3 questions" mini-series, we're looking at Payton Pritchard.
Let's dive right in!
Will he slide into the starting five or remain as the sixth man?
I've been firmly planted in wanting Pritchard to continue off the bench. Not because he isn't capable of being a starting guard – he's earned the opportunity. However, Pritchard is an elite sixth man. In 12 months' time, he will likely be asked to be a sixth man again.
Moving him into the starting lineup for one season, when that's not the role he will play once the Celtics have rebuilt a contending roster, makes little sense to me. Sure, it's a feel-good story. And sure, he would put up some career numbers. However, his value remains as a spark plug off the bench.
Nevertheless, I understand the appeal. The hope is that with a bigger role, more minutes and a higher usage, Pritchard's scoring and playmaking would both become key weapons for the Celtics.
The problem is, there's a very small sample size of Pritchard as a starter – he's started 17 games in his career thus far – three of them coming last season. He averaged 21.7 points, 7.3 assists and 5 rebounds on 48.2% shooting from the field and 32.1% shooting from deep in those three outings.
On paper, those numbers are highly encouraging. Almost 7 points more per game, almost double the amount of assists and 1.2 more rebounds per outing. However, three games are far too small a sample size – so is 17 if we're being honest with ourselves.
Then we have the other part of this equation: Anfernee Simons.
Simons is a proven bucket-getter as a starter (19.3 ppg in 70 outings last season). He's also led a team's offense for the past few seasons.
“I bet you he’s their leading scorer,” An anonymous front office executive told Heavy on Sports' Steve Bulpett. “Even with Jaylen. He’s going to have the ball a lot, and that dude can really score. That offense is going to have to change to accommodate him, and, on the last year of his contract, he’s going to let it fly.
Furthermore, the Celtics will likely be looking to build his trade value ahead of a potential move later in the season.
Surely, then, it makes sense for Simons to operate as the starter – at least for the first half of the season? My primary argument for Pritchard would likely be that he knows the system, but with the changes in player personnel this summer, we can't be sure the system will remain the same.
🗣 My Take: Pritchard was the best sixth man in the NBA last season. As much as he's earned an opportunity to prove himself as a starter, it makes more sense to keep him in a role he excels at. Factor in Simons' presence and his experience leading an offense, and it feels logical for Pritchard to continue anchoring the second unit and bringing a punch off the bench.
I am aware, however, that many people will feel differently. So, let me hear the pushback in the comments section!
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Will higher usage hurt Pritchard's assist-to-turnover efficiency?
Last season, Pritchard ranked second on the Celtics for assist-to-turnover ratio (3.36 assists per turnover) behind Luke Kornet, who sat first (3.77 assists per turnover).
