6 Players the Celtics may replace Payton Pritchard with by the trade deadline
The Celtics could try to upgrade Payton Pritchard to these players before the Feb. 8 trade deadline.
The Boston Celtics are all-in on winning the championship. They have the best record in the NBA after creating the finest top six in the globe. Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday have helped the Celtics reach a new level, but do they have the depth to win it all?
Boston will need at least eight in their playoff rotation. Sam Hauser has emerged into an outstanding shooter to be their eighth, but can the Celtics trust Payton Pritchard to stick in the postseason? The 6’1 guard played 12.9 minutes per game during Boston’s march to the NBA Finals in 2022 but wasn’t part of the weekly playoff rotation in 2023.
The Celtics have a top-heavy roster and trading won’t be easy. Pritchard is their seventh-highest-paid player and gets just $4.0 million this season. Boston is all-in and will attempt to upgrade before the trade deadline, but they will have to go for someone making $10 million or less. Even that would involve dealing Pritchard, but here are a few possibilities Brad Stevens and the Celtics should examine.
6. Cedi Osman
The Celtics have plenty of star power. They need a role player, who is comfortable complimenting their current ability. Someone who makes the extra pass, spaces the floor, and defends. Boston could use a bit of size to give them more lineup versatility.
Osman is a 6’7 forward who figures to be available before the Feb. 8 trade deadline. The Spurs have the second-worst record in the NBA, and Osman is on a $6.7 million expiring contract.
His stats won’t blow fans away, but he averages 7.3 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 1.8 assists in 18.1 minutes per game. The 28-year-old is a career 35.3 percent 3-point shooter and played 18.6 minutes per game for the Cavaliers in the playoffs last year.
The combination forward would offer the Celtics some versatility and flexibility. He won’t command the ball and is content playing whatever role required of him, which is precisely what the Celtics need to complete out their squad.
5. John Konchar
Ja Morant’s 25-game suspension to begin the season put the Grizzlies in a difficult situation. They have made the playoffs three straight years but had just six victories when their great guard returned to the lineup. Memphis has won six of nine since but is still 5.5 games behind of eighth in the West.
The Grizzlies could be sellers at the deadline, and the organization may attempt to move Konchar. He starts a three-year $18.4 million extension next season but is playing just 16.8 minutes per game. Memphis has drafted several wings in recent years, and they could opt to move on from Konchar to open up more playing time for their youthful talent.
The 27-year-old is a career 36.8 percent 3-point shooter, who rebounds well and can guard several spots. He is comfortable coming off the bench and playing 20 minutes every game. The 6’5 wing will make shots, grab rebounds, and defend.
The Boston Celtics have been linked to John Konchar multiple times. He is making just $2.4 million this season, and the franchise may be able to acquire him without giving up Payton Pritchard or any of their rotation guys. They need the Grizzlies to become sellers, but this is a move to watch if it happens.
4. Kelly Olynyk
Multiple reports have linked Olynyk to a return with the Celtics. He started his NBA career in Boston after being the 13th overall pick in 2013 and spent four years with the team until exiting via free agency in 2017. The Jazz are in the process of a rebuild and are willing to dealing his $12.1 million expiring contract before the Feb. 8 trade deadline.
The Celtics would want to add a 6’11 big man who can provide depth behind Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford and share the court with them. Olynyk is a career 36.9 percent 3-point shooter, who can make plays, defend various positions, and rebound, but getting him might be difficult.
Boston does not want to deal away four guys to get one, but they will struggle to match the salary of any player making more over $10 million. It is practically difficult for the Celtics to acquire Olynyk without giving up one of their top six players. Even dealing Payton Pritchard, Luke Kornet, Oshae Brissett, and Dalano Banton for Olynyk leaves Boston around $0.5 million short in matching pay.
Fans might dream about his perfect fit in Boston and his potential influence, but making the numbers work is close to impossible. The Celtics may get inventive by involving a third team, but it makes things much more tricky.
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