Celtics Regular Season News

[bdm860]

I know that individual +/- is not an end all stat and that we are only 4 games in, but the initial results are interesting.  On the surprising bad side:

G. Williams    -7
Smart          -10
Brogdon       -13

On the surprising good:

D. White     +22
Vonleh         +6

Tatum and Brown are both +7, about what you would expect.  Horford is +4.  Vonleh in a fair amount of minutes is +6.  Real happy with that.  Hope he can keep it up.  No one else has enough minutes to really matter.

Like you said it's early, so the stat is real volatile.  If you looked at it before the Bulls game, you'd see:

Vonleh +22
G. Williams +19
Hauser +17
Brogdon +14


One interesting tidbit to add.  White's the only player on the team to have a positive +/- in every single game so far this season.  While Smart is the only player to never have a positive +/-.

I think that gets even more interesting when you consider that White's top 4 lineups all have Smart in it, and that 79% of his total minutes played have been with Smart on the court.

To me, it helps show how a couple minutes in the NBA can really swing things.

White probably benefits from playing shorter minutes with the starters (when they're all fresh).

[Vermont Green]

I know that individual +/- is not an end all stat and that we are only 4 games in, but the initial results are interesting.  On the surprising bad side:

G. Williams    -7
Smart          -10
Brogdon       -13

On the surprising good:

D. White     +22
Vonleh         +6

Tatum and Brown are both +7, about what you would expect.  Horford is +4.  Vonleh in a fair amount of minutes is +6.  Real happy with that.  Hope he can keep it up.  No one else has enough minutes to really matter.

Like you said it's early, so the stat is real volatile.  If you looked at it before the Bulls game, you'd see:

Vonleh +22
G. Williams +19
Hauser +17
Brogdon +14


One interesting tidbit to add.  White's the only player on the team to have a positive +/- in every single game so far this season.  While Smart is the only player to never have a positive +/-.

I think that gets even more interesting when you consider that White's top 4 lineups all have Smart in it, and that 79% of his total minutes played have been with Smart on the court.

To me, it helps show how a couple minutes in the NBA can really swing things.

White probably benefits from playing shorter minutes with the starters (when they're all fresh).

Yeah, that Bulls game was brutal and with so few games, it does distort things.  Interesting that Vonleh was -16 vs. the Bulls and his number overall is still good.  Grant (-26) and Brogdon (-24) were both terrible vs. the Bulls, at least in terms of +/-.

Tough game coming up against CLE, without Grant.  Hopefully they use the CHI game as a learning experience.

[Goldstar88]

Adam Himmelsbach: According to a league source, the Celtics have picked up Payton Pritchard’s 2023-24 team option. – via Twitter AdamHimmelsbach

Feel like Pritchard is going to be traded. C’s just don’t have minutes for him when you have Brown, Smart, White and Brogdon absorbing all of the minutes at the guard positions. Boston also just drafted Davison(another PG) who is a a better athlete and will likely be superior defensively.

[Celtics2021]

Adam Himmelsbach: According to a league source, the Celtics have picked up Payton Pritchard’s 2023-24 team option. – via Twitter AdamHimmelsbach

Feel like Pritchard is going to be traded. C’s just don’t have minutes for him when you have Brown, Smart, White and Brogdon absorbing all of the minutes at the guard positions. Boston also just drafted Davison(another PG) who is a a better athlete and will likely be superior defensively.

I don’t expect Pritchard to be on the opening day roster next year, but he’s cheap this season and has shown he can perform when in the rotation, so there’s no urgency to trade him.  He’s certainly a candidate to be moved at the deadline if there’s a team interested in him, however.

[Goldstar88]

Adam Himmelsbach: According to a league source, the Celtics have picked up Payton Pritchard’s 2023-24 team option. – via Twitter AdamHimmelsbach

Feel like Pritchard is going to be traded. C’s just don’t have minutes for him when you have Brown, Smart, White and Brogdon absorbing all of the minutes at the guard positions. Boston also just drafted Davison(another PG) who is a a better athlete and will likely be superior defensively.

I don’t expect Pritchard to be on the opening day roster next year, but he’s cheap this season and has shown he can perform when in the rotation, so there’s no urgency to trade him.  He’s certainly a candidate to be moved at the deadline if there’s a team interested in him, however.

Utah, Maybe? Danny obviously thought highly enough of Pritchard to select him in the first round. Wouldn’t be surprised if the Jazz dealt a few of their guards at/before the deadline this season and several have team or player options for next year. 

[Vermont Green]

Adam Himmelsbach: According to a league source, the Celtics have picked up Payton Pritchard’s 2023-24 team option. – via Twitter AdamHimmelsbach

Feel like Pritchard is going to be traded. C’s just don’t have minutes for him when you have Brown, Smart, White and Brogdon absorbing all of the minutes at the guard positions. Boston also just drafted Davison(another PG) who is a a better athlete and will likely be superior defensively.

I don’t expect Pritchard to be on the opening day roster next year, but he’s cheap this season and has shown he can perform when in the rotation, so there’s no urgency to trade him.  He’s certainly a candidate to be moved at the deadline if there’s a team interested in him, however.

The reason to trade Pritchard would be to sell of some of the combo guard surplus and bring back a wing or big that is better than what we have now.  I don't see that happening.  Pritchard on his own does not bring that back.  Doesn't mean that Pritchard is not part of a broader package though.

What is more likely I think is that White is traded and that Pritchard is the back fill.

[Celtics2021]

Adam Himmelsbach: According to a league source, the Celtics have picked up Payton Pritchard’s 2023-24 team option. – via Twitter AdamHimmelsbach

Feel like Pritchard is going to be traded. C’s just don’t have minutes for him when you have Brown, Smart, White and Brogdon absorbing all of the minutes at the guard positions. Boston also just drafted Davison(another PG) who is a a better athlete and will likely be superior defensively.

I don’t expect Pritchard to be on the opening day roster next year, but he’s cheap this season and has shown he can perform when in the rotation, so there’s no urgency to trade him.  He’s certainly a candidate to be moved at the deadline if there’s a team interested in him, however.

The reason to trade Pritchard would be to sell of some of the combo guard surplus and bring back a wing or big that is better than what we have now.  I don't see that happening.  Pritchard on his own does not bring that back.  Doesn't mean that Pritchard is not part of a broader package though.

What is more likely I think is that White is traded and that Pritchard is the back fill.

Depends on the wing and the team, honestly.  The player I’ve had my eye on is Kenrich Williams.  He signed a sub-MLE extension and so isn’t available for trade until late January, but he’s a solid 15-minute reserve wing.  One never knows what OKC is thinking, so it’s tough to see if either he or Pritchard would be in their long-term plans, but their salaries this year match up for a trade, and they’re owed comparable amounts next year too.

[gouki88]

Adam Himmelsbach: According to a league source, the Celtics have picked up Payton Pritchard’s 2023-24 team option. – via Twitter AdamHimmelsbach

Feel like Pritchard is going to be traded. C’s just don’t have minutes for him when you have Brown, Smart, White and Brogdon absorbing all of the minutes at the guard positions. Boston also just drafted Davison(another PG) who is a a better athlete and will likely be superior defensively.

I don’t expect Pritchard to be on the opening day roster next year, but he’s cheap this season and has shown he can perform when in the rotation, so there’s no urgency to trade him.  He’s certainly a candidate to be moved at the deadline if there’s a team interested in him, however.

Utah, Maybe? Danny obviously thought highly enough of Pritchard to select him in the first round. Wouldn’t be surprised if the Jazz dealt a few of their guards at/before the deadline this season and several have team or player options for next year.

With what has happened at Utah this season, if we traded PP there he'd probably become Mark Price 2.0

[Atzar]

On the subject of Pritchard, this isn’t a knock but I’m glad that Hauser appears to have beaten him out for a role.  Not only is he at least an equivalent shooter, his size fits our switchy defense better and he can hopefully help us keep minutes manageable for Tatum and Brown.

I like having PP around.  Having a 10th-11th man who can play is nice and will pay dividends when one of our guards needs some games off.  But in the meantime, it’s just so much easier fitting a 6’7” shooting specialist into a rotation than it is a 6’1” shooting specialist.

[radiohead]

Adam Himmelsbach: According to a league source, the Celtics have picked up Payton Pritchard’s 2023-24 team option. – via Twitter AdamHimmelsbach

Feel like Pritchard is going to be traded. C’s just don’t have minutes for him when you have Brown, Smart, White and Brogdon absorbing all of the minutes at the guard positions. Boston also just drafted Davison(another PG) who is a a better athlete and will likely be superior defensively.

I don’t expect Pritchard to be on the opening day roster next year, but he’s cheap this season and has shown he can perform when in the rotation, so there’s no urgency to trade him.  He’s certainly a candidate to be moved at the deadline if there’s a team interested in him, however.

Utah, Maybe? Danny obviously thought highly enough of Pritchard to select him in the first round. Wouldn’t be surprised if the Jazz dealt a few of their guards at/before the deadline this season and several have team or player options for next year.

With what has happened at Utah this season, if we traded PP there he'd probably become Mark Price 2.0

Hahaha! What a job Will Hardy has done there. That’s another what if scenario for the Cs. Would he have been a better fit than Joe?

[Goldstar88]

Adam Himmelsbach: According to a league source, the Celtics have picked up Payton Pritchard’s 2023-24 team option. – via Twitter AdamHimmelsbach

Feel like Pritchard is going to be traded. C’s just don’t have minutes for him when you have Brown, Smart, White and Brogdon absorbing all of the minutes at the guard positions. Boston also just drafted Davison(another PG) who is a a better athlete and will likely be superior defensively.

I don’t expect Pritchard to be on the opening day roster next year, but he’s cheap this season and has shown he can perform when in the rotation, so there’s no urgency to trade him.  He’s certainly a candidate to be moved at the deadline if there’s a team interested in him, however.

Utah, Maybe? Danny obviously thought highly enough of Pritchard to select him in the first round. Wouldn’t be surprised if the Jazz dealt a few of their guards at/before the deadline this season and several have team or player options for next year.

With what has happened at Utah this season, if we traded PP there he'd probably become Mark Price 2.0

Hahaha! What a job Will Hardy has done there. That’s another what if scenario for the Cs. Would he have been a better fit than Joe?

Was Hardy hired before or after the C’s found out about Ime?

[Roy H.]

Adam Himmelsbach: According to a league source, the Celtics have picked up Payton Pritchard’s 2023-24 team option. – via Twitter AdamHimmelsbach

Feel like Pritchard is going to be traded. C’s just don’t have minutes for him when you have Brown, Smart, White and Brogdon absorbing all of the minutes at the guard positions. Boston also just drafted Davison(another PG) who is a a better athlete and will likely be superior defensively.

I don’t expect Pritchard to be on the opening day roster next year, but he’s cheap this season and has shown he can perform when in the rotation, so there’s no urgency to trade him.  He’s certainly a candidate to be moved at the deadline if there’s a team interested in him, however.

Utah, Maybe? Danny obviously thought highly enough of Pritchard to select him in the first round. Wouldn’t be surprised if the Jazz dealt a few of their guards at/before the deadline this season and several have team or player options for next year.

With what has happened at Utah this season, if we traded PP there he'd probably become Mark Price 2.0

Hahaha! What a job Will Hardy has done there. That’s another what if scenario for the Cs. Would he have been a better fit than Joe?

Was Hardy hired before or after the C’s found out about Ime?

Hardy was hired in late June; the Ime investigation began in mid-July, I think.

[Goldstar88]

Adam Himmelsbach: According to a league source, the Celtics have picked up Payton Pritchard’s 2023-24 team option. – via Twitter AdamHimmelsbach

Feel like Pritchard is going to be traded. C’s just don’t have minutes for him when you have Brown, Smart, White and Brogdon absorbing all of the minutes at the guard positions. Boston also just drafted Davison(another PG) who is a a better athlete and will likely be superior defensively.

I don’t expect Pritchard to be on the opening day roster next year, but he’s cheap this season and has shown he can perform when in the rotation, so there’s no urgency to trade him.  He’s certainly a candidate to be moved at the deadline if there’s a team interested in him, however.

Utah, Maybe? Danny obviously thought highly enough of Pritchard to select him in the first round. Wouldn’t be surprised if the Jazz dealt a few of their guards at/before the deadline this season and several have team or player options for next year.

With what has happened at Utah this season, if we traded PP there he'd probably become Mark Price 2.0

Hahaha! What a job Will Hardy has done there. That’s another what if scenario for the Cs. Would he have been a better fit than Joe?

Was Hardy hired before or after the C’s found out about Ime?

Hardy was hired in late June; the Ime investigation began in mid-July, I think.

Thought they found out about Ime’s inappropriate relationship sometime in June, though.

Edit: I can’t find anything that states when the found out. 

[Celtics2021]

Adam Himmelsbach: According to a league source, the Celtics have picked up Payton Pritchard’s 2023-24 team option. – via Twitter AdamHimmelsbach

Feel like Pritchard is going to be traded. C’s just don’t have minutes for him when you have Brown, Smart, White and Brogdon absorbing all of the minutes at the guard positions. Boston also just drafted Davison(another PG) who is a a better athlete and will likely be superior defensively.

I don’t expect Pritchard to be on the opening day roster next year, but he’s cheap this season and has shown he can perform when in the rotation, so there’s no urgency to trade him.  He’s certainly a candidate to be moved at the deadline if there’s a team interested in him, however.

Utah, Maybe? Danny obviously thought highly enough of Pritchard to select him in the first round. Wouldn’t be surprised if the Jazz dealt a few of their guards at/before the deadline this season and several have team or player options for next year.

With what has happened at Utah this season, if we traded PP there he'd probably become Mark Price 2.0

Hahaha! What a job Will Hardy has done there. That’s another what if scenario for the Cs. Would he have been a better fit than Joe?

Was Hardy hired before or after the C’s found out about Ime?

Hardy was hired in late June; the Ime investigation began in mid-July, I think.

Thought they found out about Ime’s inappropriate relationship sometime in June, though.

No, mid-July was what was reported.

[nickagneta]

Regarding the Celtics:

“It is clear that they’re asking about big guys but they’re asking about wings, too, poking around,” one league executive told Heavy Sports. “They’re taking the temperature on what might be out there, who might get released or bought out, who they might have to give up a pick, a first-rounder, a second-rounder, to get. It is early so no one is giving up on players now but when you get to late December and January, seems like they want to be in a good spot to make a call on what to do then.” – via Sean Deveney @ Heavy.com

Not sure how reliable and certainly not surprising.  I would say the buy out phase of the discussion is pretty much over.  That part seems like old news.  Favors (big guy) and Harkless (wing) are still out there.  Certainly not surprising that the Celtics are "poking around".  Maybe more surprising that Harkless and Favors are still available.

Sure sounds like no news here as I assume every team out there does this type of due diligence every season during the season in preparation for the trade deadline. If everyone was healthy, I assume the Celtics would still be doing this.