The Boston Celtics continue to make waves. As it is widely known, the Celtics were involved in two of the most high-profile NBA trades this offseason. Yesterday, the C’s and Payton Pritchard‘s agreed on a contract extension. There was also news that Jay Scrubb suffered a major injury, and Luke Kornet being the leading candidate to serve as the backup center.
NBA Rumors and News: Payton Pritchard, Kawhi Leonard, Jay Scrubb, Hawks & Suns
Celtics and Payton Pritchard Agree To Contract Extension
After the Celtics were eliminated last year, Pritchard made it known that he wanted a bigger role this upcoming season. Not only will Pritchard get a bigger role, he will also get a bigger paycheck in the near future.
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Pritchard, who will make $4.04 million this year, and the Celtics agreed to a four-year, $30 million contract that is fully guaranteed. The extension will kick in for the 2024-25 campaign.
Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard has agreed on a four-year, $30 million contract extension, agents Austin Brown, Max Saidman and Mitch Nathan of @CAA_Basketball tell ESPN. Deal is fully guaranteed. pic.twitter.com/sD9LgpmHZx
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 8, 2023
Pritchard had a solid rookie season after being selected by Boston with the No. 26 overall pick in 2020. But the 25-year-old saw his production decline over the past two years as the Celtics improved their backcourt depth. He averaged 5.3 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 1.3 assists in 14 minutes over 48 appearances in 2022-23.
Pritchard is an excellent shooter who makes 40% of his shots from deep. He is also a good ball-handler that competes defensively.
What Role Will Pritchard Have This Season
With the trades of Marcus Smart and Malcolm Brogdon, Pritchard is slated to be the Celtics’ third or fourth guard. In Boston’s first preseason game on Sunday against Philadelphia, Derrick White started alongside Jaylen Brown in the backcourt. Jrue Holiday came off the bench, while Jayson Tatum, Al Horford, and Kristaps Porzingis were the other starters.
Holiday will likely start for the Celtics in the regular season. In that case, White or Horford will come off the bench, per Brian Rabb of Mass Live.
” He [Pritchard] is the team’s offensive sixth man, The Athletic’s Jared Weiss wrote. “Pritchard will likely spend this year coming into the game in the first quarter and orchestrating plenty of the offense.”
Pritchard was excellent in Boston’s 114-106 preseason-opening victory on Sunday. The 6-1 combo guard tossed in 26 points on 9 of 14 shooting, including 6 of 11 from the 3-point line. He also doled out four assists, grabbed two rebounds, and committed two turnovers.
Speaking of Holiday, USA Basketball is aggressively pursuing Holiday to return to Team USA and play in the 2024 Olympics, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports. Holiday is said to be still mulling the offer.
Luke Kornet Has Inside Track As Backup Center
While Boston nabbed two star players in all the wheeling and dealing they did, the Celtics’ frontcourt depth took a hit.
Specifically, it left the Celtics without a backup center if Horford does indeed start. If Horford comes off the bench, then Porzingis would start at center and Tatum at power forward. Horford coming off the bench would eliminate the necessity of having a backup center as he would serve as the first big off the bench.
Saying that Weiss tweeted that coach Joe Mazzula told him that Kornet has the inside track on the backup center job.
Joe Mazzulla on backup center: "It starts with Luke. I thought Luke really did a great job last year. I think he’s an underrated player & I don’t think people realize how effective he is. He’s a guy that’s always in the right spot defensively (and) makes the right play."
— Jared Weiss (@JaredWeissNBA) October 7, 2023
Kornet will make $2.41 million this year. While his contract is nonguaranteed through Jan. 10, Kornet already received $400,000 of the deal, and another nearly $1.1 million will be guaranteed if he makes the opening night roster — which appears to be a lock at this point.
Last year, Kornet averaged 3.8 points on 66.5% shooting from the field and 2.9 rebounds in a career-high 69 appearances while seeing 12 minutes a game. Kornet is not a shot-blocker, but he is a plus-defender.
The 28-year-old turned in a decent performance in the Celtics’ preseason opener. The 7-2 center tallied four points on 1 of 2 shooting, three rebounds, and one assist in 13 minutes of action.
Jay Scrubb Suffers Injury
Scrubb likely saw his 2023-24 season come to an end on Saturday as he suffered a torn ACL in practice.
#NEBHInjuryReport Jay Scrubb suffered a torn right ACL during practice yesterday. Further updates will be provided as appropriate.
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) October 8, 2023
Scrubb inked a two-way deal with Boston after a strong Summer League performance. The 2020 second-round draft pick tallied 16.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.8 assists in four games in Las Vegas.
Scrubb was one of three players on a two-way deal with the Celtics. Now, president of basketball of operations Brad Stevens has a decision to make. The C’s could keep the 23-year-old guard or waive him, which is the most likely outcome. Waiving Scrubb would allow Boston to add another player to a two-way contract.
Even if the Celtics decide to waive Scrubb, they still could re-sign him when he is cleared to return to basketball activities.
Scrubb is known for his scoring prowess. Scrubb, who has appeared in 22 NBA games, averaged 22.2 points for the G-League’s Lakeland Magic last year.
