Payton Pritchard would like to be traded by the Boston Celtics this summer, according to NBA insiders Jay King and Jared Weiss of The Athletic. The guard had several DNPs in the regular season and playoffs.
With Pritchard’s request getting leaked, Jedd Pagaduan of ClutchPoints came up with three trade destinations for Pritchard. They are the San Antonio Spurs, Utah Jazz and Phoenix Suns.
“Given the Spurs’ current personnel at point guard, acquiring Pritchard gives their offense a whole new dimension by adding a pull-up threat, as well as someone who can make catch-and-shoot three-balls when Keldon Johnson and Devin Vassell commandeer the offense,” Pagaduan wrote.
“Speaking of teams with glaring holes at the point guard position, the Jazz enter the 2023 NBA offseason in dire need of a floor general upgrade. After dealing away Mike Conley, they ended the year with Kris Dunn orchestrating the offense, which isn’t exactly a recipe for success even if Dunn impressed to end the season. Payton Pritchard won’t necessarily be a needle-mover. But at the very least, Pritchard will be heading toward a franchise that believes in his talents. After all, it was Danny Ainge’s brain trust who drafted Pritchard for the Celtics back in 2020.
“Payton Pritchard will not be the long-term answer for the Suns at the point, that much is clear. However, it’s not the worst idea to add yet another insurance policy for Paul, especially when Paul’s backup Payne isn’t exactly the most durable either.”
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Payton Pritchard, Boston Celtics, San Antonio Spurs, Utah Jazz & Phoenix Suns Updates
Pritchard appeared in 48 games during the regular season. He averaged 5.6 points, 1.8 rebounds and 1.3 assists while shooting 41.2% from the field, 36.4% from beyond the arc and 75.0% from the free-throw line.
The 25-year-old played in 10 postseason games, averaging 3.2 points. The Celtics lost to the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals in seven games after reaching the NBA Finals last year.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Payton Pritchard, Boston Celtics, San Antonio Spurs, Utah Jazz & Phoenix Suns Updates
Boston drafted Pritchard with the 26th overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft out of Oregon. The guard has career averages of 6.6 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.7 assists. Pritchard signed a four-year, $10.5 million rookie scale contract with Boston. He will make $4.0 million next season.
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