Bleacher Report's Dan Favale has identified Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard as one of three logical trade targets for the Houston Rockets this offseason, along with Tyler Herro (Miami Heat) and Ryan Rollins (Milwaukee Bucks).
"Payton Pritchard and Ryan Rollins are Utopian fits for a Houston Rockets team that believes Reed Sheppard is the long-term solution to its first-chance offense and resigned to head coach Ime Udoka hardly ever relying on defensive liabilities," Favale wrote.
"The postseason will determine whether second-rung ball-handlers who knock down threes and generate looks for themselves and others inside the arc aren't high-end-enough solutions."
Pritchard played under Udoka in Boston for a season, so there's familiarity there. However, Boston would have to be willing to give up Pritchard to Houston, in the first place, and that feels unlikely, given Payton's bargain contract that locks him in with the Celts for two more season beyond the current campaign.
Payton Pritchard | Salary
'25-26: $7.23M
'26-27: $7.77M
'27-28: $8.30M
Brad cooked. pic.twitter.com/o3pH9ASP8s
— Colin Keane (@ColinKeane_) March 9, 2026
Pritchard has enjoyed a strong 2025-26 season with the Celtics. In 63 games (starting 48 before shifting to a reserve role), the reigning Sixth Man of the Year has averaged 16.9 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 5.4 assists per game, while shooting 46.1% from the field and 36.2% from three-point range.
Currently sidelined with neck spasms (missing the March 10 battle against San Antonio), Pritchard remains a key piece for the Celtics as they push through the regular season.
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