Payton Pritchard has earned the opportunity to start for the Boston Celtics next season, regardless of Anfernee Simons’ resume with the Portland Trail Blazers. Simons has been an extremely impressive scorer for the past few years, but sometimes, stats come with opportunity. Pritchard deserves that chance.
For the past five seasons, Pritchard has slowly worked his way up the Celtics’ depth chart, weaving his way between three different coaches, a trade request, and inconsistent minutes. Now, with Jrue Holiday gone, the starting point guard position should be Pritchard’s. And perhaps more importantly, Boston should want to see what he has to offer in that spot.