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.