Boston Celtics’ Guard Situation
With the recent trade of Jrue Holiday to the Portland Trail Blazers, the Boston Celtics find themselves in need of a new starting guard to line up alongside Derrick White. According to Grant Afseth at FastbreakJournal.com, Payton Pritchard, who was named the Sixth Man of the Year last season, is poised to claim that role.
Pritchard’s Performance and Potential
Pritchard’s consistent development over the years and his deep understanding of the team’s system make him the frontrunner for this position. Although this decision aligns with Pritchard’s impressive performance history, including an increase in productivity during his limited starting opportunities, his effectiveness will need to be confirmed in the upcoming training camp.
In the previous season, Pritchard showcased his skills by averaging 14.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game. His starting performance, however, highlighted a significant improvement, with stats escalating to 21.7 points and 7.3 assists in three games when given the chance to start.
Simons’ Transition and Motivation
On the other hand, Simons will transition into a sixth-man role, where he is expected to excel as a scoring specialist. Last season, he averaged 19.3 points and 4.8 assists while shooting 36.3% from three-point range. The upcoming season holds even more significance for Simons, as he is in a contract year with an expiring deal worth $27.7 million.
This situation provides him with a strong motivation to enhance his performance and elevate his market value for future negotiations. As Simons vies for a potential second consecutive Sixth Man of the Year title in a competitive field, the developments in Boston will be intriguing to monitor as the season unfolds.
