Celtics lock in Payton Pritchard with $44.2 million extension

On Tuesday, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that Boston and guard Payton Pritchard agreed to a fully guaranteed, two-year extension worth $44.2 million with a mutual option for 2029-30.

Hoops Rumors notes that Pritchard is the third Celtic to land a veteran extension since the new league year began. Neemias Queta (four years, $56 million) and Jordan Walsh (three years, $15.75 million) came first. Boston opens the regular season Oct. 20 in Detroit.

Nothing changes in his paycheck right away. Pritchard is still playing out the four-year, $30 million deal he signed in 2023. It pays him $7.76 million this season and $8.3 million next, Yahoo Sports reports.

The new money starts in 2028-29. Cap analyst Bobby Marks broke it down as $21.2 million that year and $22.9 million in the option season. He also noted that the first-year figure is the most the rules allow. That works out to roughly $22 million a year.

One wrinkle is that outlets describe the option differently. CelticsBlog says either side can opt in, while Boston Sports Journal says both parties have to agree. The fine print will matter once the contract is official.

Why Boston moved now

The timing makes sense. With two years left on his current deal, Pritchard couldn’t sign a long-term extension once the season started, so Boston wanted it done before Oct. 19.

It’s also a shift in tone. In August he waved off the subject, saying “I don’t really think about it,” per Boston.com. He has earned some leverage since.

Last season he averaged 17.0 points, 5.2 assists and 3.9 rebounds in 32.4 minutes and started 50 games, according to RotoBaller. That came after he won Sixth Man of the Year in 2024-25,