Celtics get a bargain with Payton Pritchard extension

Pritchard took it to another level in 2024-25, averaging 14.3 points, shooting 40.7 percent from three-point range and winning Sixth Man of the Year, all while earning just $6.7M. Last season, with Jayson Tatum out most of the season, Pritchard averaged 17 points, 5.2 assists and 3.9 rebounds while finishing 17th in the league in three-pointers.

Payton Pritchard's cheap rookie extension enabled another bargain

The low value of Pritchard's current contract — only $7.8M this season — made it that $4.2M is the most Pritchard could get on a two-year extension. Because his salary is so low, he's eligible to extend his deal for 140 percent of the NBA's Estimated Average Player Salary, with eight percent raises.

Pritchard received a mutual option for his 2029-30 deal, which both gives him financial security and allows him and the Celtics to explore an extension in the summer of 2029. He'd clearly get more on the open market, but Pritchard wanted to stay in Boston and get life-changing money, rather than test free agency in 2028.

It's a mutually beneficial deal that was possible because the Celtics had faith in a young player early in his career and gave him the opportunities to develop into one of the best bench players in the league. Pritchard and the Celtics have been great for each other. He should be a fixture in green for years to come.