The Boston Celtics are reworking their lineup with Payton Pritchard set to start at point guard, as Jayson Tatum recovers and Jrue Holiday is out. Anfernee Simons would come off the bench as a high‑scoring spark, a blueprint that could redefine fantasy value in Boston’s backcourt for 2025‑26. Pritchard’s ascension isn’t a surprise given his years of growth and familiarity with the offense, but the move signals a real shift in usage and playmaking responsibility for the guard position.

Pritchard thrived as Sixth Man of the Year and showed flashes as a fill‑in starter, posting impressive numbers when called upon. Simons arrives with elite scoring ability, multi‑level scoring, and a contract year dynamic that could push him into a prominent bench role or a later trade window handicap. The juxtaposition creates a potent fantasy narrative: Pritchard as a stable, high‑usage starter and Simons as a dynamic, but potentially platoon, scorer off the bench.

Injuries and turnover open lanes for other Celtics—Tatum’s absence magnifies early workload for Boston’s guards, while Simons’ expiring deal keeps him squarely in trade whispers. For fantasy managers, Pritchard’s path to reliable value hinges on minutes and rhythm; Simons offers ceiling in bursts, especially when paired with a second unit that can sustain offensive bursts. Training camp and early schedule will reveal how quickly this duo cements roles and how defenses react to Boston’s revamped guard corps.

Overall, the Celtics’ plan leans into youth and system familiarity, with a demonstrable impact on early fantasy projections. If Pritchard locks in the starting gig and Simons remains a scoring punch off the bench, Boston could present a nuanced balance of stable floor and sporadic upside across multiple fantasy formats.