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Details of Payton Pritchard's Extension with Celtics Revealed
Payton Pritchard could've bet on himself and played out his rookie contract. But instead of free agency next summer, he did what will increasingly become a trend under the NBA's new collective bargaining agreement, opting for security.
The former Oregon Duck signed a four-year, $30 million extension with the Boston Celtics Sunday. Maybe he could've done better on the open market. But the 25-year-old combo guard's seen much of the NBA's middle class get squeezed.
Seth Curry signed a two-year, $8 million deal to jettison the Brooklyn Nets and return to the Dallas Mavericks. Another example is Russell Westbrook going from the star of a valiant effort from the short-handed Los Angeles Clippers, down Kawhi Leonard and Paul George in their playoff series against the Phoenix Suns, to re-signing with LA for an average annual value under $4 million.
Knowing the new CBA will create more roster churning than ever, Pritchard prioritized security over gambling, only to see it backfire.
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Sunday, hours after agreeing to an extension, the West Linn, Oregon, native propelled the Celtics to a come-from-behind 114-106 preseason victory over the Philadelphia 76ers, erupting for 16 of his 26 points in the final frame.
Afterward, he shared he chose to stay out of the contractual conversations, trusting his camp to broker a deal he was comfortable with.
"I really wasn't a part of it," conveyed Pritchard. I just heard the numbers side of things and all that, and then it got to a number I was comfortable with, and yeah, I didn't really want to be a part of that conversation. I just wanted to hoop and handle that. I let my agent handle all that side of things."
And now that he has peace of mind on this front, he expressed it "feels really good. Just to be secure. Lock it in, and then be a part of a great organization and (a) great city. Obviously, I feel this is the best basketball organization and city in the NBA, so it feels good."
Both sides are happy with this arrangement as it represents fair value for him and the franchise. Under the new, more punitive collective bargaining agreement, the team-friendly nature of the deal is even more valuable, especially for Boston, who went over the second apron when it acquired Jrue Holiday.
Here's a yearly breakdown of Pritchard's contract, courtesy of ESPN's Bobby Marks.
Furthermore, his rookie scale extension is fully guaranteed, structured with eight percent annual raises, and contains no incentives.
After a trying season, where his minutes reduced from 14.1 in 2021-22 to 13.4 in 2022-23, his summer experience with the USA Select Team was a confidence booster.
"All the players, there are like top-level players, you know, there's stars of their team, so to go out there and compete with those guys and see where your game matches up is," Pritchard told Inside The Celtics. "It definitely was a boost of confidence, and, you know, I believe in myself at a high level. So, I'll continue to do that."
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He's generated at least 17 points in Boston's three exhibition contests, including registering 21 plus five assists against the New York Knicks and 26 with four dimes Wednesday vs. the Sixers.
As highlighted, whether it's orchestrating the pick-and-roll, displaying more explosiveness than any point in his career as he drives downhill, and playing well defensively, he's showcasing more than his scoring prowess this preseason.
Pritchard, who's about to become a rotation fixture, seems in line for a breakout season.
Further Reading
Here's What Stood Out in Celtics' Win vs. 76ers: Regulars Shine, Roster Battles Intensify
Oshae Brissett's Value to the Celtics on Full Display in Preseason
[Film Room] Lamar Stevens States Case for Celtics' Roster Spot
Under Joe Mazzulla, Celtics Rebuilding Brotherhood Between Past and Present
