Surprise Celtics Player Predicted to Make All-Star Team Alongside Jaylen Brown
Boston Celtics reporter Noa Dalzell is a big fan of Payton Pritchard.
Dalzell is very dialed-in with everything having to do with the franchise. She's writer/podcaster with a real grasp on the Celtics. Suffice it to say, when she believes Pritchard could be an All-Star this year, those words hold some real weight.
The media personality recently spoke with fellow reporter Brett James on the Celtics. When asked about the outlook of Pritchard in particular this year, Dalzell offered a very interesting take
"This is a great opportunity for him. I don't know if it's going to happen because its really hard because [players] have elite seasons and are not named All-Stars," Dalzell said. "But, I could see if this team does really well next season and exceeds expectations, they're probably going to be granted two All-Stars. Payton Pritchard could be in that conversation."
"I long believed that's his ceiling but I never thought it could happen in Boston and because of the all of the different things that have happened here, he actually might get that opportunity playing for the Celtics which would be really exciting."
Dalzell went on to say that Pritchard humbly doesn't care about his personal stats — and that his role is to help the team win at all costs. He relayed this to her when the two spoke recently.
As alluded to above, Pritchard has a real chance at blowing up given the expected usage uptick. Jayson Tatum's Achilles injury will keep him out potentially for the entierty of this year, and Jrue Holiday is no longer with the team.
The reigning Sixth Man of the Year could even be a starter alongside Derrick White this season depending upon what the team does with recent acquisition Anfernee Simons.
Pritchard vs Simons
His preexisting chemistry with the team certainly gives him a leg-up in that potential battle. Being a locked-in starter also will be something Pritchard will relish. He was a multi-year starter at Oregon where he developed into an elite college player.
While it took him a few years to develop to his current standing as an NBA player, we've seen moments where Pritchard legitimately looks capable in leading a playoff-level team.
He'll get that opportunity to shine this year in that lead role.
Braves claim $4M reliever off waivers from Dodgers — brother of Atlanta's most-hated rival
The Atlanta Braves are just trying to make it to the end of the regular season after the worst one they have had in several years. The Braves are expected to make numerous changes to the roster next season, and some moves are already underway with waiver additions. Additionally, manager Brian Snitker is expected to retire at the end of the season.
“Because of that consistent recent success, Snit would normally be afforded a ‘mulligan’ year—even though going from the second-best preseason World Series odds to possibly the third-best odds of winning the draft lottery is a pretty serious mulligan,” Bleacher Report’s Kerry Miller wrote. “At 69, though, he's already the oldest manager in the National League by a several-year margin and was likely to retire at the end of this season, which is the last one in his current contract.”
The Braves are still adding to the team this season, focusing mostly on pitching, as Atlanta has struggled to keep players healthy. On Sunday, they claimed Alexis Diaz off waivers.
“The Braves have claimed Alexis Diaz off waivers from the Dodgers, according to David O’Brien of The Athletic. Atlanta has space available on its 40-man roster, so no corresponding move is necessary to bring Diaz into the organization,” MLBtraderumors.com’s Nick Deeds wrote.
Diaz was just released by the defending World Series Champion Dodgers earlier in the week.
“The Dodgers announced that they have selected the contract of catcher Ben Rortvedt, a move that was previously reported. In corresponding moves, they optioned infielder Alex Freeland and designated right-hander Alexis Díaz for assignment,” MLBtraderumors.com’s Darragh McDonald wrote.
