Just some weeks into the offseason, and it’s already been a summer season of change for the Boston Celtics. They traded long-time fan favourite Marcus Good to the Memphis Grizzlies in a three-team deal for Kristaps Porzingis, utterly altering the crew’s basis.

The transfer despatched shockwaves all through Celtics Nation, as followers instantly cried out for the guts and soul of the crew to return, criticizing the transfer by means of green-colored goggles.

Porzingis’ addition to the lineup will undoubtedly assist Boston push ahead, as the previous All-Star put up profession numbers final season, and whereas Good’s departure will proceed to sting, Derrick White and Malcolm Brogdon are ready within the wings to step up.

Nevertheless, regardless of Brad Stevens’ supposed confidence in Brogdon’s skills heading into subsequent season, bringing him again into the fold is an eyebrow-raiser. That’s to not say Brogdon isn’t succesful. He’s coming off a Sixth Man of the 12 months season. Having him in Boston taking part in that position once more can be nice, however how does he really feel about it?

Perhaps Brogdon is a whole skilled and can neglect concerning the previous week’s occasions, however for about 5 hours, he was traded. The Celtics shipped him off the LA Clippers in a Porzingis commerce that by no means occurred. And with the stories that Boston isn’t completed making strikes, there’s an opportunity he’s nonetheless traded.

Which will sound like a scary proposition contemplating Good is already gone. Going from three starting-caliber guards to 1 is a large shift, nevertheless it could possibly be made potential by the true winner of the Good commerce, Payton Pritchard.

For the previous yr, it was a protected assumption that Pritchard wouldn’t be on the Celtics by the beginning of the 2023-24 season. He spent everything of this previous yr glued to the bench, used sparingly in moments when Boston wanted a spark.

The offseason started with rumblings that Pritchard could possibly be on his approach out of Boston, however now, it seems like he may obtain an elevated position within the Celtics’ offense.

Assuming Derrick White takes over the beginning position, the Celtics ought to really feel snug having Pritchard as the first backup level guard subsequent season. In the event that they commerce Brogdon, including a third-string man can be essential, but when Stevens feels further assistance on the wing is extra essential than Brogdon, Pritchard might be prepared and succesful.

A season of sitting on the sidelines could have some forgetting what Pritchard is able to. His three-point share dropped this previous yr, however that was merely a byproduct of his inconsistent taking part in time. If a shooter isn’t given minutes to generate a night-to-night rhythm, his contact will fade.

In his first two seasons within the league by which he performed not less than 65 video games annually, Pritchard shot 41.1% and 41.2% from deep, respectively. That’s the definition of consistency, particularly contemplating he tried nearly the identical variety of photographs (248 3PA his rookie season, 245 3PA his sophomore season).

Pritchard’s numbers are on par, or higher, than the common backup level guard within the NBA. Throughout his rookie season, when he performed simply over 19 minutes an evening, Pritchard averaged 7.7 factors, 2.4 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per sport.

This previous yr, solely six backup level guards (min. 65 video games performed off the bench) put up these numbers or higher whereas coming off the bench – Brogdon, Immanuel Quickley, TJ McConnell, Cole Anthony, and Coby White – and solely 10 guards achieved the feat in any respect.

Clearly, if the Celtics resolve to commerce Brogdon, bringing in additional guards might be essential. Operating with White and Pritchard as the one guards on the roster isn’t an important gameplan. However Pritchard can be a wonderful alternative for the backup position, offering Stevens with some respiratory room concerning who he targets in potential trades.

Boston entered final season with a glutton of guards, and all year long, it turned clear that the cluster got here at the price of positional variance throughout the roster. Now, they’re being compelled to clear issues up.

However the truth that that they had so many succesful guards means they now have loads of commerce belongings to work with, and contemplating Brogdon’s contract and worth, he’s the logical alternative if the Celtics resolve to make one other commerce.

Perhaps that commerce entails Pritchard. But when it doesn’t, and if Brogdon is the one to go, the Celtics ought to really feel nice sliding Pritchard into the full-time backup level guard position.