After Reportedly Being Named The New Starting Point Guard, Payton Pritchard Is About To Go 2016-17 Isaiah Thomas All Over The NBA's Ass

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“The Boston Celtics appear poised to elevate Payton Pritchard into the starting lineup while using Anfernee Simons as a high-scoring option off the bench for the 2025–26 season if he remains on the roster, sources informed http://FastbreakJournal.com…The Celtics believe Pritchard has earned the starting job through years of steady development. His familiarity with the system and readiness to handle expanded responsibilities have made him the preferred option to open games at point guard.”

In 2014-15, essentially the last time the Celtics were in a "rebuild", they brought in an undersized point guard who immediately changed the entire trajectory of the franchise. I know that might sound dramatic, but that's literally what happened the second Danny Ainge brought in Isaiah Thomas, and they gave him the keys as their lead guard. Before that trade, the Celts were 45-88. Once Isaiah came on board, that flipped to 68-45. Isaiah's 2016-17 season is arguably one of the best individual Celtic offensive seasons in franchise history. Nearly 10 years later, it still never gets old

In 2025-26, the Celtics once again find themselves in a reset year. Now is the time to try some crazy shit and see what happens. If it works out? Awesome. If it's a disaster? Also good because that means the chances at a high pick later this summer get better. With Jrue Holiday no longer on the roster, now is the perfect time to hand the keys to Payton Pritchard as the starting point guard to see just what might be possible in that role. Can he go full 2016-17 Isaiah Thomas? It's a lofty goal, but again nobody expected that to happen and look how that turned out. Can this guy do something similar?

Here's what we know. In his 11 starts in the Joe Mazzulla Era, Payton Pritchard has averaged 21/8/5 on 51/47% splits. Not bad! Sure, when you look a little closer, you see that the highest scoring outings all came against dogshit teams, but last time I checked, those teams still exist in 2025-26 so that's whatever to me

Why not give him a serious look in what is a "gap year" for the team? It's not like you can't say Payton doesn't deserve the opportunity, given his growth as a player. The leap he made as a passer last season and his ability to manipulate defenses with improved patience are large reasons why he won 6MOY. He's turned himself into much more than just a shooter. From his improved passing to his legit rebounding, he's way more of a complete player than he was say, pre-Joe Mazzulla. He also feels like the type of player that does the most with his opportunities, so why can't it be another level of a breakout year for him? I for one want to see how he handles that load and the pressure that comes along with it. As a starter, you have to deliver every single night, against every type of opponent. The expectations around you are very different compared to being the first guy off the bench, and personally I think Payton can thrive in that role. 

From a basketball standpoint, I also like this move for what it does for everyone else's role. I much prefer Derrick White to stay in his off ball guard role, as that's where I feel like he's at his best. Keeping him at the 2 allows him to stay in a role we know he can thrive in and puts less wear and tear on his body which everyone should be in favor of. When it comes to Simons, if the goal is to maybe up his trade value, why not let him be the #1 option on the second unit, going up against bench players? In those lineups, he'll be able to get more shots (in theory), and given the fact that I think we all expect the Celts to be VERY cautious with rest and injuries this season, my guess is he'll have plenty of spot starts anyway.

You have to remember, Derrick White is already 31. By the time Tatum returns, he's 32. As of now, there are no other point guards on the roster (depending on how you view Simons or if he's even on the team after this year). Frankly, this team needs to know if Payton Pritchard can handle that role for when Tatum returns. If not, then it's a position Brad Stevens has to address this summer. There's nothing wrong with giving him the opportunity now, seeing if he sinks or swims and if he swims, then perhaps you only need to backfill the backup point guard spot, which is certainly easier (and much less expensive). If he sinks, maybe you use the $22M KP TPE on a starting caliber guard or something along those lines.

The point is, we're about to find out one way or the other if these reports turn out to be true, and I for one am excited to see how it all shakes out.