From interviews, it seems like Payton Pritchard wants a bigger role, and would prefer to be traded to another team. It seems like the Celts will try to accommodate him, most likely this summer.
The question: if a trade is inevitable, is it better to trade him now or later? When will he have more value? What impact would losing Pritchard have on the team now? Are there free agents or trade targets that we could pick up as a 3rd / 4th PG?
If we could trade him now for a guy who could fill Theis' role on the team last season, I would move him. I'd rather have a decent third / fourth big than deep depth at PG. PP's performance has been down this year, and while I like his hustle, we need more size.
I'm with you on this, as much as I'm bullish on Payton's future. His performance has indeed been down this year; I think that his inconsistent minutes have been a factor, though it inevitably goes both ways, doesn't it?
You're also right to point to his size.
Given age and injury history of Boston's bigs, I believe that acquiring another one is the highest priority. You point to the crucial role that Theis played last year, though it seems to be under the radar of most fans.
I would argue that that is not as urgent a matter this season, with Kornet and on occasion Blake Griffin logging some good minutes; but a rotation big would make a huge difference in the overall minutes distribution - not just as an insurance policy.
I would favor getting Kelly Olynyk. Excellent team defender, and you can run offense through him; he fits right into that Boston Pistol 5 that they've been running.
He's been scoring in the lane at a good clip, getting to the line at an impressive clip, is a grade-A plus FT shooter - and shooting over .400 from 3. He's been turnover-prone this season, but it's an outlier and partly attributable to his situation.
He's on the wrong team (doesn't fit their timeline, but PP would). He's signed through 2024.