The Celtics’ 2020 draft situation put them in a weird predicament. With a team already full of young players, what the Celtics really needed was depth and veteran experience. Instead, the Celtics’ had three draft picks and no roster space. Though reports of the Celtics trying to trade their picks and Kemba Walker for a top ten pick circulated, the Celtics ended up having to settle and use all three picks.
Their first draft pick, the fourteenth pick Aaron Nesmith, was touted as a sharpshooter and would hopefully make an immediate impact. While Nesmith has shown instances of his shooting prowess, he has yet to find a role on the Celtics roster. Unexpectedly, it is the twenty-fourth pick, Payton Pritchard, that is making a difference.
With Kemba Walker out, some questions arose about the point guard position. Would Jeff Teague start in place of Walker? Could Marcus Smart shift to the point and run the offense? Who would run the bench unit if Teague started?
Little did the Celtics know, Pritchard would be exactly what they needed and more.
While Pritchard’s stats of eight points, two rebounds, and three assists may not jump off the page, the spark he provides off the bench and ability to keep the offense afloat with the starters out has been invaluable. Brad Stevens has placed his trust in Pritchard during the early part of the season, and so far, it has paid off.
Though he still has a lot of room for improvement, Pritchard has shown flashes of what he could become. He’s connected on thirty-five percent of his three pointers so far, and all signs point to that number increasing. His willingness to take deep threes or step-back shots if the defense is lagging off of him is just the surface of his offensive potential.
Pritchard’s passing and playmaking skills have also been more than effective. He is confident with the ball and is not afraid to attack the defense if he finds an opening. Some chemistry has developed between him and Robert Williams, leading to high alley-oops or shovel passes through traffic. As Pritchard gains more experience and learns to read defenses better, his passing will only improve.
On defense, Pritchard is aggressive and is always pressuring the ball handler. While his intensity is something to be admired, he can sometimes get caught on screens or beaten a little bit too easily because of his foot speed and agility, but with further training and experience, this can be remedied. His height can also be an issue when contesting shots or buying trips to the free throw line, though as his outside shooting develops, this may become less of an issue.
After a solid start to the season, Pritchard had a breakout game against the Raptors, scoring twenty-three points off the bench. He followed that performance with another solid game against the Heat, which ended in a game-winning put-back layup. These performances are only glimpses at Pritchard’s potential, and now that Jeff Teague is out with a sprained ankle, Pritchard will surely play more minutes and step into an even larger role.
Overall, Pritchard’s skillset has been exactly what the Celtics need. His passing, shooting, and defensive intensity exceed his rookie contract, and his poise under pressure resembles a seasoned player. Though Danny Ainger may not have wanted a late first-round draft pick coming into this season, Pritchard has been proving he was more than worth it.
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