The Celtics of Boston are striking out as a sign of the new season in NBA. Jrue Holiday is out and Jayson Tatum has been out off the court of late, and reportedly, the head coach, Joe Mazzulla is undergoing a major lineup change.
NBA insider Grant Afseth wrote Payton Pritchard of the Celtics will be elevated to the starting five, nudging well-paid guard Anfernee Simons down to the reserves:
According to Afseth told FastbreakJournal.com, the Boston Celtics seem determined to promote Payton Pritchard into the starting five and deploy Anfernee Simons as a high-scoring back up player in 2025 to 2026 season in case he is still on the team roster.
Pritchard just had his best season to date averaging 14.3 points per game and 3.5 assists per game. His work in few starts was all the more remarkable – 21.7 points and 7.3 assists in three contests – which won him a 2025 Sixth Man of the Year trophy.
Simons in the meantime is entering his last season of a four year, $100 million deal and is set to earn $27.7 million this year. Though he is viewed as a desirable trading asset, his scoring touch is not to be scorned. The now ex-Portland Trail Blazer recorded 19.3 points as well as 4.8 assists on average, last season.
Pritchard optimistic Celtics have a champion mentality
Pritchard is a Celtic through and through so he understands the burden of expectations in Boston. In an interview on Celtics Talk, he was categorical that the team ambitions remain the same in spite of the roster upheavals and injury setbacks.
Obviously we want to make the playoffs. We are out here to get a championship.
It is not even about playoffs we have one standard in Boston and that is to win a championship. The aim of all of them in that locker room will be to play against a championship. And we will do all within our power we can do to go after that.”
This year Eastern Conference is up for grabs with many of the top teams fighting through injuries. Boston is likely to be one of the leading competitors despite the presence of crucial absences.
