The Celtics and Payton Pritchard have agreed to a fully guaranteed two-year, $44.2 million contract extension, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Tuesday. The deal includes a mutual option for the 2029-30 season.
The mutual option gives either side a say in whether Pritchard stays in Boston that year. Per Keith Smith, either Pritchard or the Celtics can opt in; if neither does, Pritchard becomes a free agent. The deal also brings a major raise. Pritchard will go from making about $8 million next season
to $22.2 million on the extension. The 2024 NBA champion has earned the new deal with his steady rise in Boston. After winning Sixth Man of the Year in 2024-25, Pritchard averaged career highs of 17 points, 5.2 assists and 3.9 rebounds last season.
Pritchard is entering a retooled Boston backcourt alongside Jayson Tatum, Derrick White and Paul George. With Jaylen Brown now in Philadelphia, the Celtics will need more creation and scoring from the players who remain. Pritchard started 50 games last season, and his role figures to keep growing.
At media day, Pritchard pushed back on the idea that Brown’s departure meant one player would take over. “I’m not coming into this year and being like, Jaylen’s gone and it’s my turn,” he said, adding that the whole team would need to improve.
Pritchard has spent six seasons earning his place in Boston’s rotation. Now, the Celtics are paying him like they expect him to help shape what comes next.
