Celtics’ Sixth Man Of The Year Winner Makes Bold Claim For 2026

The Boston Celtics have undergone major changes over the past few months compared to their roster that won the NBA Finals last summer. 

Jayson Tatum’s Achilles injury played the biggest part in creating that change, but according to Payton Pritchard, none of their recent moves or losses change Boston’s expectations for next year. 

“We’re definitely trying to be a playoff team. We’re trying to win a championship,” Pritchard said to NBC Sports Boston on the Celtics Talk Podcast. “It’s not even about playoffs, we have one standard in Boston and it’s to win a championship. Everybody in that locker room will have the goal of competing for a championship. And we will do everything in our power necessary to go for that. That’s what (the fans) should know.”

In an article written on NBA.com, the Celtics ranked 12th in the Eastern Conference power rankings. Even after a historic run the past two years, their roster turnover in the fallout of Tatum’s injury has caused Boston to drop lower than anyone would have expected just a few months ago. 

Boston’s Departures Will Be Missed

Some of Boston’s notable departures this season include Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford, and Luke Kornet, all of whom were valuable in their championship run just 14 months ago.

Pritchard expressed his feelings towards a chunk of Boston’s supporting cast leaving over the summer. While he didn’t say he was ecstatic to see any of them go, he was happy to watch them receive big contracts, deals likely worth more than the Celtics could have offered.

“I mean, it definitely sucks,” Pritchard said about the roster changes. “You become brothers with your teammates, you’re with them all the time. So, definitely going to miss them. It’s part of the business side so you have to move on.”

“But you see a guy like Luke (Kornet) get paid, you know, you have to be happy for him for all the work he’s put in to earn that,” Pritchard added. “I’m personally really going to miss Jrue. Jrue’s like a big brother, somebody I learned a lot from…Obviously, KP (Kristaps Porzingis), the type of person he is. Boston fans loved him, and a heck of a talent. We’re definitely going to miss those guys but it’s part of the NBA.”

 Pritchard’s Quick Rise

Regardless, Pritchard believes the newly retooled roster will allow for players like him to take on a larger role. Even after winning Sixth Man of the Year last season, the 27-year-old expects to elevate his game.

“I feel like everybody should be excited,” Pritchard said. “There’s a lot of opportunities across the board. For me, personally, I’m excited every year. Because it’s an opportunity to prove myself again, to show that I can take another step. And that’s my goal every year. I’m definitely hungry and motivated this year.”

Pritchard averaged a career-high 28.4 minutes per game last season, with his scoring jumping up nearly a third from his average in 2023-24. He was also the only Celtics player to appear in at least 80 games, while leading the team in assist-to-turnover ratio, out of all players who consistently had the ball in their hands.  

Last year, he shot over 40% from three-point range for the third time in the regular season and hit the mark for the second time in the playoffs. While Boston set multiple three-point shooting records this past year, Pritchard was a main part of that historic success, especially his iconic half-court buzzer beaters. He ranked third on the team in attempts and makes from deep, only behind Tatum and Derrick White. 

Boston made two moves more than a month into the summer, but their offseason has been highlighted by losing multiple players who were crucial in winning their first title in 16 years.

However, the Celtics have made the playoffs in 17 of the last 18 seasons, and even with Tatum out, Pritchard doesn’t expect to miss the postseason for the first time in his career.