Celtics rumors: NBA exec thinks Payton Pritchard blew $30 million opportunity, but insider delivers rebuttal appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Boston Celtics locked in Payton Pritchard for two more years after signing him to a contract extension worth $44 million on Tuesday. Pritchard has become an indispensable member of the Celtics, and he is expected to play a big role in the upcoming season.
Last season, he averaged career-highs of 17.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 5.2 assists in 79 games, earning himself a hefty deal that nearly tripled his annual salary.
It, however, has drawn “mixed opinions among front office personnel,” according to The Stein Line’s Jake Fischer, with many of them believing that the 28-year-old Pritchard could have haggled for a better deal and “insisted upon a trade kicker.”
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“The 2025 Sixth Man of the Year likewise still has two seasons left on a four-year, $30 million deal. And he’ll be extension-eligible once again in 2028, which is the same year he would have reached unrestricted free agency at 30 years without the latest extension. One cap strategist I spoke to said he felt that Pritchard could have commanded $30 million in average annual value on the open market that summer had he waited,” wrote Fischer.
Fischer, however, argued that Pritchard received a fair shake.
“Pritchard did secure a mutual option in Year 2 of his extension and now possesses more future years and money on his contract than most free agents found available in this past summer’s marketplace,” noted Fischer.
After securing his heavy bag, Pritchard received praise from coach Joe Mazzulla, who called him a “great competitor.”
With the departure of Jaylen Brown, Pritchard will likely start for Boston, along with Derrick White, Jayson Tatum, Paul George, and Neemias Queta.
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Related: Joe Mazzulla sends powerful message after Payton Pritchard’s new contract