Boston Celtics Rumors: 2 Players Who Won’t Be Back Next Season

They weren't able to make history. Instead, the Boston Celtics' season will go down as just another in a recent run of coming up short in their playoff goals. Now the question is, how much turnover will we see this offseason?

Jaylen Brown came up very small in their Game 7 loss, with as many turnovers (8) as made shots (8-23). But due to his All-NBA selection this season, he is eligible for a five-year, $295 million supermax extension this summer. Is he a great player? Yes. Is he a franchise-defining, put-the-team-on-his-back superstar worthy of a supermax? That's certainly up for debate, and the C's front office is undoubtedly debating it right now. 

Brown has made it clear that if he gets the supermax, he'll stay in Boston for the long haul. If not, all bets are off. 

But let's put Brown's future aside for now; there are two Celtics who quite definitely won't be back next season:

Payton Pritchard

We've heard it on several occasions this season: Pritchard feels he's ready for a bigger role in this league, and clearly, Boston is not the place where it's going to happen. 

The 25-year-old averaged 13.4 minutes in 48 games, with 5.6 points and 1.3 assists. In three games as a starter, however, he averaged 14.3 points, 7.7 rebounds and 6.3 assists. Small sample size, sure, but it was similar results in his two starts the season before. 

Payton Pritchard says he’s looking for a bigger role 👀

“Obviously after I’m done here, after this year, I’d like to look — be a part of a bigger role a little bit.”

(Via the Point Forward podcast / h/t masslive) pic.twitter.com/0jkZNv1i4l

— NBACentral (@TheNBACentral) January 30, 2023

His comments earlier this season clearly indicate he wants out: “Obviously after I’m done here, after this year, I’d like to look — be a part of a bigger role a little bit.”

Blake Griffin

The 12-year veteran is a six-time All-Star, but is not that player any longer. At 33, he can still offer limited minutes off the bench in an effective manner. He played 14 minutes per contest in 41 appearances this season, averaging 4.1 points and 3.8 rebounds, while shooting just a tick under 35% from three. But it was somewhat telling that he completely disappeared from the rotation in the playoffs. If the Celts didn't feel comfortable using him when it counted, it's safe to say that he won't be back next season.

Photo: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports