Despite all of the drama and fanfare surrounding the Boston Celtics offseason—including the trade of fan favorite Robert Williams III and reigning Sixth Man of the Year Malcolm Brogdon for rookie Jrue Holiday, and the departure of Marcus Smart to acquire Kristaps Porzingis just a week before free agency opened—there were also some underappreciated decisions made by the front office.
The Celtics made subtle but underappreciated decisions amid a summer (and fall) full of blockbusters, whether it was giving more opportunities to new players who signed for cheap or rewarding long-term role players who have accepted any position required of them.
With the 2023-24 season set to begin, the Houdini believes some fans will find the game-ball recipient on several nights during the regular season someone they weren’t expecting a big night from.
Payton Pritchard
Brad Stevens won’t let the last breakout draft pick under his watch coaching go during his current Boston Celtics President of Basketball Operations stint, Payton Pritchard. Holding onto him in the blockbuster Holiday trade with the Portland Trail Blazers, who play in his home state of Oregon, indicates that there could be a long-term future for the former Ducks star in Boston.
With a potential extension ahead of the rookie-scale extension deadline coming his way, Pritchard may finally be out of trade rumors for a while; all while developing behind one of the all-time great NBA teammates, Holiday.
