From applying for a deal to becoming a starter, the best sixth man completed his redemption journey at the Celtics.

According to US media RG reporter Grant Afseth, the Boston Celtics are expected to arrange Payton Pritchard as the team's starting point guard next season, while Anfernee Simons, a backcourt player who just joined the team, will serve as the substitute.

The American media ClutchPoints also commented on the news, and they also sorted out Pritchard's career development trajectory with the Celtics: In 2023, Pritchard hopes to seek a new beginning, and he is frustrated by his limited playing time on the team and Boston's crowded backcourt lineup. Many people think he had only a handful of days in North Shore Garden. But instead of packing his luggage, he chose to work harder, hone his ball skills, and wait for the time that belongs to him to come. This patience paid off in 2024. In the Celtics' journey to win the championship, he became an indispensable spark on the bench, and he also proved that he had the ability to shine under the most dazzling lights.

ClutchPoints continued to write: Then in 2025, this is the real year of breakthrough. Pritchard became the team's super sixth man, and he can bring unremitting energy to the team on the court, and his key shots and fearless organization can provide a lot of help to the team. With a series of outstanding performances, he successfully won the NBA's best sixth man in the 2024-25 season, which also consolidated his position as the league's top substitute. Now in 2026, he has finally gained the kind of self he once dreamed of, and he has become a member of the Celtics' starting lineup. After absorbing Joe Mazzulla's system and thriving in the team, he deserves to be the starter. Boston not only managed to keep him, but also watched him become the important player they needed. Such a story is really inspiring.

In the NBA regular season last season, Pritchard made a total of 80 appearances in 82 games, averaging 28.4 minutes per game, averaging 14.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.2 blocks, and 1.5 fouls. He shot 47.2%, three-point shooting percentage 40.7%, and free throw shooting percentage 84.5%. In the playoffs, Pritchard played 11 games in total, averaging 27.5 minutes per game, averaging 11.9 points, 2.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 0.5 steals, 0.8 turnovers and 1.7 fouls, shooting percentage of 45.5%, three-point shooting percentage of 40.3%, and free throw shooting percentage of 82.4%. Pritchard is just the backcourt player selected by the Celtics in the 2020 NBA Draft with the 56th pick in the second round. His draft pick is very low, and his physical fitness and athletic ability are also very average. Under normal circumstances, such a player should be difficult to get a chance. However, Prichard showed enough patience, and he also waited for such an opportunity with his own efforts and persistence. I don’t know what Pritchard will perform next season, who has further improved his playing time and tactical status.