Celtics Analyst Floats Bold Move For $30 Million Guard

The Boston Celtics are entering one of their most uncertain seasons in years. With Jayson Tatum sidelined by an Achilles injury and the roster reshaped by second-apron restrictions, the front office has leaned on youth and cost-controlled depth. Jrue Holiday is gone, leaving Joe Mazzulla with a pivotal question: who should start alongside Derrick White in the backcourt?

Celtics Face Backcourt Dilemma: Simons or Pritchard?

One logical option for the starting role is Anfernee Simons. He arrived in the Holiday trade, carrying real pedigree. Three straight seasons as a full-time starter. Explosive shot creation. Microwave scoring that can swing quarters. But Simons also comes with caveats — he’s on an expiring deal, new to Boston’s system, and widely seen as a trade candidate if the Celtics decide to retool further.

That uncertainty is why Chris Forsberg and NBC Sports Boston’s Ramp to Camp panel leaned toward another option: sliding Payton Pritchard into the starting role.

Forsberg explained the logic: “We tend to think Pritchard deserves first crack because, 1) He’s a core member of what remains of that 2024 championship team, and 2) Every time the Celtics have thrown more on his plate, he’s devoured it while taking another step in his NBA evolution.”

Why a Pritchard Start Fits the Celtics

Start with the shooting. Pritchard’s 40.7% from deep last season stretched defenses two steps higher, a premium without Tatum. He posted career highs in points and assists while keeping turnovers low, giving Boston a guard who can initiate actions and thrive off the ball next to White.

NBC’s Ramp to Camp crew framed the challenge simply. Josh Canu emphasized adjusting to a starter’s role — defend at a high level, stay efficient, and complement the stars. Max Lederman took it further, saying Pritchard must prove he’s “a championship-level starting point guard,” not just an elite Sixth Man.

The production backs it up. In 10 games without Tatum last season, Pritchard averaged 19.0 points, 5.3 assists, and 5.0 rebounds. In 19 games without Jaylen Brown, he delivered 16.4 points, 3.7 assists, and 4.2 rebounds. Scale the role, and the numbers follow. His mentality is already there too — “I would play all 48 minutes if I could,” he told NBC this summer.

The Verdict: Should Boston Start Pritchard?

Multiple voices now echo Forsberg’s stance. NBA insider Grant Afseth reported that Boston is poised to elevate Pritchard into the starting lineup, with Simons taking on a high-scoring bench role if he remains with the team.

The reasoning is simple. Boston is in a gap year where internal growth matters as much as short-term wins. Pritchard provides spacing, continuity, and a proven ability to scale his role. Simons, meanwhile, remains valuable — but perhaps more as a trade asset or luxury scorer than a foundational starter.

The Celtics’ backcourt puzzle isn’t solved yet. But if development and system fit are the priorities, Pritchard may be the guard who keeps Boston steady while they wait for Tatum’s return.

Yankees’ Manager Loses Credibility as Captain Publicly Contradicts Him Again

The New York Yankees don’t just have an injury problem with Aaron Judge—they have a leadership problem. For the second time this month, the franchise cornerstone openly contradicted and undermined his manager, Aaron Boone, this time in response to Boone’s morning radio tour on WFAN and Jomboy Media’s Talkin’ Yanks.

According to The Athletic, Boone told both outlets that Judge is unlikely to throw normally again this season as he continues to battle a flexor strain in his right arm. His exact words: “I don’t think we’re going to see him back to throwing like he normally does at any point this year.” That’s about as blunt as it gets, and it painted a grim picture of the Yankees’ hopes of having Judge back in the outfield before October.

But Judge wasn’t having it. When asked about Boone’s remarks, the captain fired back. “I don’t know why he said that. He hasn’t seen me throwing the past two weeks. So, I’m pretty confident I’ll get back to that.”

That wasn’t just clarification. That was a direct rebuke of Boone’s authority, a public swipe at the one man who is supposed to control the messaging inside the clubhouse.

A Boiling Point Between Captain and Manager

Earlier this month, Judge also dismissed one of Boone’s assessments about the team’s offensive struggles, implying Boone wasn’t accurately portraying what was happening behind the scenes. Now, in the midst of a playoff race, Judge is again saying not to trust his manager’s account of his health.

That’s a crisis.

The Yankees can spin this however they want—that Judge is being competitive, that Boone is being cautious, that everyone is “on the same page.” But fans and the media aren’t stupid. This is the second public contradiction between captain and manager in three weeks. It’s not just a crack in the wall; it’s a gaping hole that invites questions about Boone’s control over the clubhouse and his credibility outside it.

Remember, Judge isn’t some fringe player questioning the narrative. He’s the face of the franchise, the captain, and the only thing keeping Yankee Stadium from turning into a Bronx zoo of boos most nights. When he pushes back this hard, it carries weight.

The Real Problem: Boone’s Word Means Nothing

Boone has always been known for being overly optimistic in public. But in this case, he wasn’t sugarcoating—he was setting expectations. He told fans not to expect Judge to return to his full defensive self this season. That’s the kind of information managers are supposed to control.

Then, Judge undercut him in less than 24 hours.

It’s one thing for a manager to lose the fanbase. Boone has been there before. It’s another thing entirely to lose his captain. Judge made it clear Boone doesn’t know what he’s talking about when it comes to his recovery. That’s not just miscommunication. That’s distrust.

How are Yankees fans supposed to believe Boone’s injury updates when the best player in the organization is openly calling them inaccurate? How are teammates supposed to rally behind a manager who looks clueless about the health of his superstar?

For years, Boone survived criticism because Judge stayed quiet or supported him. That changed this month, making Boone appear detached from his team.

If there’s any sign of who actually runs the Yankees right now, it’s not Boone. It’s Judge. And for a manager already on thin ice after repeated October failures, that might be the beginning of the end.