Boston Celtics told to promote Anfernee Simons and drop star, ‘put him back on the bench’

Lou Williams says Boston Celtics should start Anfernee Simons and have Payton Pritchard in the Sixth Man role

With the team needing a quick turnaround, the Celtics might make a change to their starting lineup.

Lou Williams suggested that the Celtics should promote Anfernee Simons to a starter’s role and have Payton Pritchard go back to the bench as the team’s sixth man.

“The next step is giving Anfernee Simons a spot to start on this team. That’s a position he is used to.

“That’s something that he’s flourished in. And then you’ve got Payton Pritchard who flourished in a Sixth Man role as well.

“I’m all for guys having opportunity to go from the bench to a starting job to further their careers.

“But if it’s not working so far 0-3, you got to put another guy in that position and put him back on the bench.”

Should the Boston Celtics put Payton Pritchard back in a Sixth Man role?

Pritchard was named the 2024-25 NBA Sixth Man of the Year last season, but given the Celtics circumstances he was promoted as a starter this season.

With the increased workload, Pritchard’s numbers have barely gotten better and his three-point shooting has dipped drastically.

As a starter, Pritchard is shooting just 18.2 percent from three-point range through three games. He shot the three ball at a 40.7 percent clip last season.

It’s still early, but if Pritchard can’t find his groove from downtown, then the Celtics should consider switching things up and have Pritchard return to his sixth man role and start Simons.