The Boston Celtics’ 2025-26 campaign kicks off under a cloud of uncertainty. Jayson Tatum’s Achilles injury, sustained in Game 4 vs. the Knicks (May 2025), sidelines him for most or all of the season, per ESPN’s Todd Archer. Jrue Holiday’s trade to Portland for Anfernee Simons and picks, driven by second-apron limits, leaves a defensive void (Holiday’s 1.4 SPG). Boston’s projected 42-40 record, per ESPN’s Power Index, reflects a “gap year” focused on youth development around Jaylen Brown (28.0 PPG projected) and Derrick White (17.6 PPG, 1.2 SPG). X user @CelticsInsider laments: “No Tatum, no Holiday—backcourt’s a puzzle!”
The question of who starts alongside White—Simons or Pritchard—defines Mazzulla’s early strategy. Simons, a 25-year-old scoring dynamo, offers microwave offense but faces trade buzz (Lakers, Bulls linked, per Jake Fischer). Pritchard, 27, a 2024 champion, brings continuity and scalability. Forsberg and NBC’s Ramp to Camp panel lean Pritchard for his system fit and clutch stats. With camp looming, this decision shapes Boston’s identity—contention or development?
Anfernee Simons: Explosive Talent, Uncertain Future
Simons, acquired in the Holiday trade, is a proven starter with three seasons of 20+ PPG for Portland. In 2024-25, he averaged 22.6 PPG, 5.5 APG, and 3.6 RPG, shooting 43.0% FG and 38.5% 3PT across 72 games. His shot-creation—12.7 points per game off drives—and 42.1% pull-up three-point shooting make him a quarter-changer. X’s @BlazersEdge raves: “Simons’ scoring is electric—Boston’s lucky to have him!” His $27.7M expiring deal, however, fuels trade speculation, with Chicago eyeing him for Nikola Vucević, per Fischer.
Simons’ caveats are real. His 2.1 turnovers per game and average defense (114.2 defensive rating) clash with Boston’s top-5 defensive identity (110.8 rating). New to Mazzulla’s system, he’d need time to gel with White’s playmaking (4.8 APG) and Brown’s isolation (27.3% usage). At 25, Simons is a long-term fit, but his 15.6% assist rate (below White’s 18.2%) limits his point-guard ceiling. If traded by the February 2026 deadline, he’s a luxury scorer off the bench (24.1 PPG in reserve roles).
Payton Pritchard: The Case for Starting
Pritchard, Boston’s 2020 first-rounder, has earned the Ramp to Camp nod for his growth and fit. In 2024-25, he posted career highs: 9.6 PPG, 3.4 APG, 3.2 RPG, and 40.7% 3PT in 22.3 MPG. His 1.3 turnovers per game and 51.2% effective FG% scream efficiency. In 10 games without Tatum, Pritchard exploded for 19.0 PPG, 5.3 APG, and 5.0 RPG; without Brown (19 games), he delivered 16.4 PPG and 4.2 RPG. StatMuse’s August 20, 2025, post highlights his 30+ minute games: 18.6 PPG, 5.0 APG, 4.7 RPG on 50/43/90 splits. X’s @lockedupjb gushes: “Pritchard’s development is CRAZY!”
Pritchard’s 40.7% three-point shooting (2.1 makes on 5.2 attempts) stretches defenses, vital without Tatum’s 38.1% 3PT gravity. His 1.0 SPG and 6.4% steal rate align with White’s elite defense, maintaining Boston’s 4th-ranked steal rate (8.2 per game). Forsberg notes Pritchard’s mentality—“I’d play 48 minutes if I could”—and his 2024 Finals clutch (12.4 PPG off bench) prove he thrives under pressure. X’s @CelticsStats adds: “PP’s +7.2 net rating in Tatum-less games? Starter material.”
Why Pritchard Fits Mazzulla’s System
NBC’s Josh Canu and Max Lederman outline Pritchard’s edge: system familiarity and scalability. As a four-year Celtic, he knows Mazzulla’s pace-and-space offense (8th in pace, 100.3 possessions). His 17.1% assist rate and 1.8 assist-to-turnover ratio complement White’s playmaking, reducing Brown’s ball-handling load (3.2 turnovers per game). Lederman’s challenge—“prove he’s a championship-level point guard”—is met by Pritchard’s 88.3% FT and low-error play (1.3 TOs). His off-ball movement (1.2 points per possession on cuts) thrives with Brown’s drives (12.4 PPG).
Simons, while explosive, risks disrupting Boston’s 3rd-ranked offensive rating (116.2). His 38.5% 3PT is solid but trails Pritchard’s 40.7%, and his defensive lapses (opponents shot 46.2% with him on) clash with White’s lockdown (43.8%). Pritchard’s 104.7 defensive rating in Tatum-less games fits Boston’s identity. Grant Afseth’s report (September 2025) backs Pritchard starting, with Simons as a high-scoring sixth man (projected 20.8 PPG off bench).
Risks and Trade Considerations
Starting Pritchard isn’t risk-free. His 6’1” frame struggles against bigger guards like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (30.1 PPG), and his 18.6 PPG in 30+ minutes may not scale to 35 MPG. Simons’ scoring ceiling (26.1 PPG peak) outshines Pritchard’s, but his $27.7M expiring deal makes him a trade chip—potentially for a rim-protecting big (e.g., Vucević’s 18.3 PPG, 10.5 RPG). Boston’s $178.7M payroll limits flexibility, but Pritchard’s $6.7M deal (through 2027) is cost-controlled, aligning with a youth-focused gap year. X’s @NBATradeTalks speculates: “Simons traded by February? Pritchard’s the safer bet.”
If Simons stays, his bench role could mirror Jordan Clarkson’s (17.1 PPG, Sixth Man of the Year). But with Tatum’s return projected for March 2026 playoffs, Pritchard’s continuity bridges the gap. His 2024-25 plus/minus (+5.8) and 7.2% offensive rebound rate for a guard add hustle. On X, @CelticsFaithful cheers: “PP starting? He’s our glue—Simons can torch benches!”
Conclusion: Pritchard’s Time to Shine
The Celtics’ backcourt dilemma—Pritchard or Simons—tilts toward Payton Pritchard for his system fit, 40.7% three-point shooting, and proven scalability (19.0 PPG without Tatum). Simons’ scoring is tantalizing, but his expiring deal and trade buzz make him a better sixth-man or asset. In a gap year without Tatum, Pritchard’s continuity and defense keep Boston steady, aiming for a 45-win season and playoff push. Celtics fans, is Pritchard the championship-level guard Mazzulla needs? Should Simons be traded or kept?