Celtics Lock Up Key Backcourt Piece
The Boston Celtics have reached an agreement with guard Payton Pritchard on a two-year, $44.2 million contract extension. The deal, which includes a mutual option for the 2029-30 season, ensures that the 28-year-old will remain a central figure in the team’s rotation for the coming years.
A Proven Contributor
Selected by Boston with the 26th overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, Pritchard has evolved from a reserve player into a vital component of the Celtics’ roster. His career reached new heights during the 2024-25 season, where he earned the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year award. During that campaign, he averaged 14.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game while maintaining a 40.7 percent success rate from beyond the arc.
Pritchard demonstrated his ability to step into a larger role last season, particularly during an extended absence for Jayson Tatum. In 79 appearances and 50 starts, he recorded career-best averages of 17.0 points and 5.2 assists per game. As the team enters the 2026-27 season following the trade of Jaylen Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers, Pritchard is expected to take on increased responsibilities alongside Tatum and Paul George.
Salary Cap Implications
According to data from Spotrac, the Celtics currently hold just under $28 million in total cap allocations for the 2026-27 season, with $232.3 million committed for the 2027-28 campaign. The extension provides the team with long-term stability in the backcourt as they prepare for their season opener against the Detroit Pistons on October 20.