May 12, 2025; New York, New York, USA; Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard (11) is guarded by New York Knicks guard Miles McBride (2) in the first half during game four of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Celtics Plan on Starting Breakout Guard Next Year Over $100 Million Addition: Report

Originally posted on Boston Celtics on SI | By Ryan Stano | Last updated Aug 14, 2025 3:24 PM ET

The Boston Celtics will have three new starters next year. Jayson Tatum is out with a torn Achilles, and Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis are now in different spots.

Boston also acquired Anfernee Simons in return for Holiday, so they have to figure out how to use him as part of the backcourt rotation. The Celtics also still have Derrick White on the team, too.

The Celtics continue to try to find a new home for Simons. If they can't, it seems that they have a plan for the new backcourt.

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The Celtics will start Payton Pritchard next season

To no one's surprise, the Celtics will start Payton Pritchard at the point guard spot next season, according to Fastbreakjournal.com. They will also use Anfernee Simons off the bench.

Pritchard has long been seen as the starting point guard of the future. He has shown that he has the ability to score almost at will, especially when he gets hot from outside.

His playmaking has started to improve over the last few seasons. He is a better passer than he was when he first entered the league, which makes him the obvious candidate to start at point guard.

Simons will come off the bench, meaning that he will be the sixth man for the Celtics moving forward. He has shown the ability to be a microwave on the offensive end of the court, even though he struggles on defense.

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The Celtics will use Anfernee Simons off the bench if they keep him

Boston has a plan on how it will use Simons if they aren't able to reroute him. Simons is on a $27.6 million expiring contract, so he does have some value around the league.

The issue for Boston is that the rest of the teams around the league know that the Celtics are trying to shed salary at all costs, so they are trying to extract some draft capital in addition to Simons.

Brad Stevens' willingness to part with that draft capital might determine whether or not Simons ever plays a single game for the Celtics, or if he's moved to a new destination before next year begins.