Practically speaking it’s Richardson and Schröder for White and Pritchard (and Freedom for Theis). I like the post-trades Cs on all counts.
No, practically speaking it’s the actual, totally separate trades that occurred. If you wanna make your Pritchard point…. The Cs could have just dumped DS for Theis — just like they actually did.
Ok except that before the trades C's played JRich and Shroeder (not much Freedom) and after the trade they play White, Pritchard, and Theis. I think "practically speaking" works there, but I don't care. How's this: they are better since the trades.
Do you think, practically speaking, Richardson was limiting Pritchard’s playing time? Or his shooting %?
Virtually all who defend the White trade use this Pritchard argument to do so — which I happen to think is ridiculous, but moreover makes clear most understand we overpaid. I also get that most don’t care that we overpaid. Like hey, “the team’s better ao who cares!” That’s fair.
But as for the actual White trade, the idea that his “versatility” (aka he’s not especially good at anything) freed up Pritchard to be a different kind of player is an excuse. The Celtics had a ball dominant, score first combo guard playing ahead of Pritchard. They trade him to HOU which allowed PP — a score first combo guard — to move up into a back-up role.
If the White trade hadn’t happened, Pritchard would be doing the same.
