Payton Pritchard saw no future in Boston, but it worked out

Mar 29, 2025 7:20 PM

Two years after requesting a trade out of Boston, the Celtics guard Payton Pritchard has become a fan favorite and is now in strong contention for the Sixth Man of the Year award.

Chris Forsberg of NBC Sports Boston took a closer look at why Pritchard’s trade request never materialized and how he ultimately emerged as an important contributor for the defending champions.

The 27-year-old guard, who played an average of just 13.4 minutes per game during the 2022/23 season, revealed to Forsberg that at the time of his trade request, he “didn’t see a future” for himself in Boston.

However, reflecting on his current role, Pritchard admitted, “It ended up working out.”

Pritchard has played 5 seasons for the Celtics. He has averaged 8.9 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 2.5 assists in 339 regular-season games. He has won 1 NBA championship.