Boston Celtics: Why Payton Pritchard’s role will be crucial right away

Payton Pritchard will have a larger role for the Boston Celtics than what was first expected in his rookie year as the 26th pick in this year’s draft.

The Boston Celtics‘ selection of Oregon point guard Payton Pritchard didn’t excite too many people on draft night. It seemed like a routine late first-rounder that wouldn’t really have too much of an effect on an NBA roster. Now, it feels like another masterful pick by Danny Ainge and the Celtics organization. The Celtics have had a lot of luck through the years in the draft and, although it’s very early days, it looks like they’ve had a bit more here.

The Celtics took Aaron Nesmith of Vanderbilt with their first selection in this year’s draft – a solid shooter with abilities on both ends of the floor. However, their flier-pick with Pritchard has been the rookie making a name for himself thus far.

Pritchard scored 16 points during a 22-minute appearance in the Celtics’ first preseason game against the Philadelphia 76ers.  He showed his defensive capabilities too and looked like the gritty guard that the Celtics are going to need to back-up Kemba Walker this season.

Walker will start the regular season on the bench after dealing with knee problems. It looks like Pritchard will have legitimate minutes this season, but with Walker out for perhaps the opening month of the season, his role could be bigger than first anticipated.

Payton Pritchard’s value for the Boston Celtics has skyrocketed

Pritchard kind of went under the radar this year. This wasn’t the case in college though. The guard enjoyed a successful four-year career with Oregon, where he really progressed in his senior year. In his final season in college, Pritchard averaged 20.5 points per game on 41.5 percent shooting from 3-point land. He can rebound, create, and be a nuisance on the defensive end – which will be vital if he is to make a real name for himself at the next level.

The most attractive thing, if you’re a Celtics fan, is that Pritchard won the Bob Cousy Award as he was recognized as the best point guard in the nation during his senior year. He also won the PAC-12 Player of the Year and was named as a first-team All-American. In what was made out to be a pretty mundane draft class, outside of the top-three, it is surprising to see a player of Pritchard’s caliber almost fall out of the first round. Obviously, lottery teams usually draft one-and-done players, but in terms of raw talent, Pritchard was slept on.

Pritchard will turn 23 in January, but he has the potential and all of the tools to have a very successful career in the league. With Walker out, the Celtics will likely run Marcus Smart at the one-spot, but Pritchard will have a bigger role to play and a bigger chance to make a name for himself early on in his career.

With Brad Wanamaker moving on to Golden State, the Celtics did bring in veteran point guard Jeff Teague so it’s not like they lack depth at that position, but with a resume like Pritchard has, and if his display in the Celtics’ first preseason game is anything to go by, he’ll have a chance to make his mark and get more minutes in the rotation.

He seems like a guy who’s going to give one hundred percent every night and during every practice. His teammates clearly think highly of him too. Marcus Smart thinks that the ‘sky is the limit’ for Pritchard and noted how he likes his scrappy style of play – something I think any Celtic fan will absolutely love about the rookie.

Pritchard will fit like a glove with this Boston Celtics team. There’s already an exciting young core mixed with numerous experienced veteran leaders. It’s a good fit for both parties, who should complement each other hugely.