Celtics Lock Up Payton Pritchard With Two-Year, $44.2 Million Extension

The Boston Celtics made another long-term investment in their backcourt Tuesday, agreeing with Payton Pritchard on a two-year, $44.2 million contract extension. The deal begins in 2028-29 and includes a mutual option for 2029-30, extending Boston’s control of the 28-year-old guard after he developed from late first-round pick into one of the team’s most dependable creators.

Pritchard is coming off the best season of his NBA career. He averaged career highs of 17.0 points, 5.2 assists and 3.9 rebounds in 79 games, starting 50 times, after winning Sixth Man of the Year in 2024-25. His current contract remains one of Boston’s best values for two more seasons before the extension raises his salary into the $20 million-plus range.

The timing says plenty about how the Celtics view Pritchard. Boston’s roster has changed significantly, and Pritchard’s combination of shooting, ballhandling and durability gives the club continuity around its higher-paid stars. He has spent his entire NBA career with the Celtics since being selected 26th overall in 2020 and contributed to the 2024 championship. Rather than let his value continue climbing toward free agency, Boston secured a player whose role has grown every season.