If the Celtics want to continue to lower their salaries, the new best sixth person might be sent away?

Boston local media MassLive reporter Brian Robb talks about some of the team's possible operations in the next free market and trading market. Among them, he also talked about the team's backcourt player Payton Pritchard.

Robb said Pritchard's current market conditions may be a huge unknown. Whether the Celtics can find an attractive deal for Prichard remains an open question, because from the current situation, the Celtics prefer not to accept long-term contracts from other teams unless the players they receive are in line with the team's long-term plans for the future, which also makes the deal harder. If the team's ultimate goal is to lower the team's total salary below the luxury tax line, then the market is not bad but the contract has a relatively long term, Pritchard is likely to become a player sent away by the team.

In the NBA regular season last season, Pritchard made a total of 80 appearances in 82 games, averaging 28.4 minutes per game, averaging 14.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.2 blocks, and 1.5 fouls. He shot 47.2%, three-point shooting percentage 40.7%, and free throw shooting percentage 84.5%. In the playoffs, Pritchard played 11 games in total, averaging 27.5 minutes per game, averaging 11.9 points, 2.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 0.5 steals, 0.8 turnovers and 1.7 fouls, shooting percentage of 45.5%, three-point shooting percentage of 40.3%, and free throw shooting percentage of 82.4%.

Pritchard's performance last season was very amazing. His abilities and various data have been significantly improved. He can fully play his offensive characteristics when he gets more playing time and ball rights. His role on the court is obvious to all. With his outstanding performance, he also received the honor of the NBA's best sixth man last season, which is also the greatest recognition of him. The problem is just now that the Celtics core character Jayson Tatum suffered a severe injury in the playoffs due to a ruptured Achilles tendon and will be reimbursed in advance next season. The Celtics sent off multiple players this summer and lowered their total salary to below the second rich line. Next, the Celtics need to make a decision whether to continue to reduce the team's total salary or to retain an important rotation player like Prichard under the current circumstances. Pritchard's ability is no problem, but whether he is in the Celtics' long-term plan is also a huge question mark.