The Sixers will be in Boston to open their season and host the Celtics twice before the second week of November ends.

May 7, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard (11) shoots the ball against the New York Knicks in the second half during game two of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images / David Butler II-Imagn Images

With Jrue Holiday no longer in the building and Jayson Tatum looking at a long time on the shelf, the Boston Celtics are looking to shake things up in the starting lineup. According to a report by NBA insider Grant Afseth,

Celtics guard Payton Pritchard is reportedly in line to start after the Jrue Holiday trade to the Trail Blazers.

It would be best for NBA players to not underestimate Payton Pritchard. More news: Celtics News: Trainer Reveals Why Jayson Tatum, Other Young Players Are Suff

The biggest question mark will come at the second guard spot, with Payton Pritchard and Anfernee Simons likely to receive consideration.

Payton Prichard took home Sixth Man of the Year honors last season, but could be in line for a much different -- and bigger -- role with the Boston Celtics in the 2025-26 NBA season.

The NBA has been ranked once again by the folks behind the NBA 2K basketball simulation franchise once again, with fresh ratings released for each of the players who collectively make up all 30 teams in the Association.

The Celtics are planning to move veteran guard Payton Pritchard from the bench to the starting lineup next season, Grant Afseth of FastbreakJournal.com reported this week. Boston reportedly believes that Pritchard has earned a starting role through his years of steady development with their team.

According to a report from NBA reporter Grant Afseth of FastbreakJournal.com, the Celtics appear likely to start Pritchard in the back-court while having Anfernee Simons come off the bench. Simons was the key return from the Portland Trail Blazers in the Holiday trade.

That undersized point guard was 5-foot-9-inch Isaiah Thomas, who went on to average 24.7 points per game in his three-year period with the Celtics, leading Boston to the playoffs in all three seasons — and to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2016-2017.

Feb 1, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics guard Jrue Holiday (4), guard Jaylen Brown (7), guard Payton Pritchard (11) and guard Derrick White (9) on the court against the Los Angeles Lakers in the second half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images / David Butler II-Imagn Images