Payton Pritchard Reportedly to Have 'Significant Role' on Celtics amid Trade Rumors

For all of the talk about the Boston Celtics looking to make major changes to their roster this offseason, the number of quality players they might move on from seemingly keeps dwindling leading up to the start of free agency.

According to NBA insider Jake Fischer, the Celtics are projecting Payton Pritchard to have a "significant role" on their team next season despite his name popping up in trade rumors.

Fischer did note Boston's front office would presumably listen to any "ultra-aggressive" offers for Pritchard, but there's no indication he will be shopped around.

In the wake of Jayson Tatum's Achilles injury in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals, there was an assumption the Celtics might look to do a dramatic retooling with $494 million in financial commitments next season between payroll/tax payments and a new ownership group waiting for approval to take over.

Instead, it seems like the Celtics will be happy to keep some of their core in place. ESPN's Shams Charania said on Wednesday's episode of The Pat McAfee Show they would "prefer not to" trade Jaylen Brown or Derrick White this summer.

Fischer reported on Thursday the Celtics aren't "desperate" to shed payroll, but Kristaps Porziņģis and Jrue Holiday could be trade candidates.

Porziņģis is owed $30.7 million next season in the final year of his contract. Holiday is guaranteed $67.2 million over the next two seasons, plus a $37.2 million player option for 2027-28.

Given how cognizant teams are being about payrolls because of the apron rules, Pritchard might be a more attractive trade candidate than Porziņģis or Holiday, even if he's not as good as either of them.

Holiday's status, in particular, would seem to have the most impact on Pritchard's role. He would presumably move into the starting lineup if Holiday were to be moved.

Pritchard has three years remaining on his contract and won't earn a salary over $8 million until the final season in 2027-28. The 27-year-old was named Sixth Man of the Year this season after averaging career-highs in scoring (14.3), rebounds (3.8) and assists (3.5) in 80 appearances.