Payton Pritchard could sign large contract extension this offseason
· Yahoo Sports
From the moment Payton Pritchard signed his 4-year, $30 million rookie contract extension with the Boston Celtics in 2023, it looked like a bargain for the Celtics. At that point, the former Oregon Ducks point guard and No. 26 pick in 2020 was coming off a season in which he averaged 5.6 points per game. But there was more that met the eye.
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As a rookie, Pritchard showcased his impressive shot-making skills in averaging 7.7 points per game while knocking down 41.1% of his three-pointers. His minutes regressed the next two seasons, largely because of the additions of veteran guards ahead of him. But the potential was always there.
And once given the opportunity during the 2024-25 campaign, Pritchard ran with it, averaging 14.3 points and claiming the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year award. Operating in a starting role for much of the 2025-26 season, the former Duck averaged a career-high 17.0 points in 32.4 minutes per game, establishing himself as one of the more crafty scorers in the league. With All-Star teammate Jaylen Brown traded away, there's an opportunity for Pritchard to make yet another leap next season.
It's all led to Pritchard potentially garnering a large contract extension, according to ESPN's Brian Windhorst. — much larger than the $7.5 million-per-year deal that he signed three summers ago.
The Celtics believe Payton Pritchard is poised for a big jump after trading away Jaylen Brown, and they could lock in an extension before the season begins, per @WindhorstESPN.
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) July 9, 2026
Pritchard will start alongside Derrick White in Boston’s backcourt. pic.twitter.com/QyHscGaUEb
The NBA's salary cap has exploded, as has Pritchard's value. This offseason, reserve guards such as Kevin Huerter (three years, $27 million) and Landry Shamet (four years, $24 million) signed for similar contracts that Pritchard has been on. But Pritchard is a far better player than both Huerter and Shamet, as he very well could surpass 20 points a night while starting in the Celtics' backcourt.
A contract extension won't be able to matriculate until Oct. 1, when Pritchard will become extension-eligible. But once he does, look for Boston to lock down their home-grown emerging star with a rich new deal.
If they don't, he'll become one of the top free agents on the market next summer.
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This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Payton Pritchard could sign large contract extension this offseason