In his appearance on the Point Forward podcast of Andre Iguodala and Evan Turner, Payton Pritchard delivered a major insight regarding his role and future in the Boston Celtics.
When asked by Iguodala about what he sees in the next few years to come, Pritchard admitted that he will look for a bigger role following this season.
“I definitely do. It’s obviously what I work for,” Pritchard about having a bigger role, per MassLive’s Brian Robb. “I think that’s what Brad and them know, too. We’ve had that discussion but – a bigger role. I want to be part of a winning culture but I want to also help that, be a really big piece of that. I’m not saying it’s the best player on the team but I don’t know what my future holds unless I can take that next step. I don’t know what it is in five or 10 years but I just want to look back and know that I put my best foot forward. I put all the work in so whatever happens I can live with as long as I did it my way. That’s the most important thing for me.”
Pritchard has been dealing with hardships with regard to his backcourt role on the team this year. Upon the acquisition of Malcolm Brogdon last offseason, he was placed at the dead last of the team’s rotational priorities at the ball handling position, with veterans Marcus Smart and Derrick White also at his front.
His lack of exposure and being an insurance guard made teams inquire about his availability for a potential trade, but Boston remains committed to shelving him away from deals. He has been a serviceable fourth-point guard option for the club while earning a team-friendly $2.2 million this season.
With Pritchard settling at the back, his intentions for a bigger role soon can’t be questioned given his desire to remain in the league and fully develop.
