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.

The Celtics face a recalibration after trading Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis to trim payroll under the second apron, replacing them with Luka Garza and Josh Minott. Boston isn’t aiming for a full rebuild, but the roster shift signals a tighter ceiling. A CLNS Media discussion frames Boston as unlikely to finish at the Eastern Conference’s very top yet not destined for a total tank, positioning them somewhere in the middle as the 2025-26 season unfolds.

Key constants remain: Jaylen Brown and Derrick White anchor the lineup, with Payton Pritchard and Sam Hauser providing floor spacing and depth. The hypothetical addition of Anfernee Simons and the impact of Garza and Minott on rotations inject uncertainty, balancing veteran reliability with youth upside. Overall, Boston projects to hover between the East’s elite and its fringe, pending development and cohesion from the new pieces.

Sam Hauser’s breakout hinges on his elite floor-spacing and credible defense, making him a central piece in Boston’s perimeter-heavy attack. His presence elevates the Celtics’ spacing even on off shooting nights and keeps lineups honest when Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown drive the offense. With trade talk swirling, Hauser’s value as a scalable 3-and-D option remains high whether he starts or anchors the second unit. The team’s retooling aims to sustain contending status in a two-year window, and Hauser’s continued efficiency and off-ball movement will be a decisive factor.

As Boston leans into a perimeter-forward identity, Hauser’s role is a barometer for the roster’s balance. His ability to hold his own in space, combined with improving defensive instincts, could push him from a specialized role to a dependable, high-minute contributor. The dynamic around Hauser—especially in relation to Tatum, Brown and the bench—will shape fantasy value and betting angles all season.

Payton Pritchard is poised to step into the Boston Celtics’ starting point guard role for the 2025-26 season as Jayson Tatum is sidelined for the year and Boston shakes up its roster. The move reflects a belief that Pritchard has earned expanded responsibilities through patient development and his familiarity with the system. While Jrue Holiday’s departure opened the door, Pritchard won’t be asked to supplant Holiday but to steer the offense as the team retools around its core.

The Celtics’ confidence in Pritchard stems from two seasons of steady growth as a playmaker and a better sense for when to push the pace or slow the offense. Fantasy managers should note the elevated usage and the potential for multi-category production if he handles the load efficiently, though overall upside will hinge on surrounding talent and how Boston manages injury timelines and depth in the backcourt.

Boston’s approach this season will test Pritchard’s ceiling as a lead guard, with early minutes likely and the chance for bigger responsibilities if Tatum’s absence lingers. For fantasy, he’s a compelling target in later rounds with a path to value in assists, threes, and efficiency if he becomes the primary driver of the offense in stretches.

Boston Celtics face a summer retooling that has punditsquestioning their immediate competitiveness, yet the presence of Jayson Tatum keeps them squarely in the championship conversation. The rotation—Brown, White, Pritchard, Hauser—gets by with talent, but depth questions loom as Joe Mazzulla navigates minutes and lineups. The narrative built by the How ’Bout Them Celtics? podcast centers on Payton Pritchard’s mindset: push the team to contend now, regardless of the current rotation. The Celtics must measure their ceiling against Eastern rivals like the Cavaliers and Knicks as they chase this season’s goals while balancing youth development and winning now.

Pritchard’s readiness to lead from the bench or a larger role signals a franchise-wide push to stay in the mix, while Tatum and Brown provide the core anchor. Fantasy angles emerge: Hauser’s shooting could fuel value if he holds a steady role, White’s facilitator/defender mix offers reliable categories, and depth pieces must step up when the defense falters. The episode frames a high-stakes season where every win validates the patience around a retooled depth chart.