Celtics Have Explored This Trade In Lead-Up To Draft and make a pick before No. 35 overall

The Celtics appear to be considering moving up the draft board, and they may be prepared to part with one of their own in order to do so.

Due to the fact that Indiana now owns Boston’s 2023 first-round pick as a result of the Malcolm Brogdon trade last year, the Celtics are expected to make only one unfavorable selection on Thursday night. However, according to Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer, there’s a chance the C’s don’t remain put and make a decision before No. 35 overall.

“Sources say the Celtics have explored trades involving this selection and point guard Payton Pritchard in order to move up into the first round,” O’Connor wrote in a piece published Tuesday. “However, as The Boston Globe reported on Monday, the Celtics remain high on Pritchard, making him a valuable trade chip.”

O’Connor’s revelation comes less than a week after another rumor surfaced indicating that Boston is “investigating” the idea of breaking up their backcourt logjam via trade. Pritchard would presumably be the odd man out in that situation, as the Celtics’ 2020 first-round pick was not a rotation regular last season. Pritchard was also open to Boston trading him before the 2023 trade deadline.

Overall, it would not be a complete surprise if Pritchard is not on the Celtics’ roster at the end of the week.