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Payton Pritchard’s ‘delusional confidence’ a big reason for his Celtics success

Payton Pritchard’s "delusional confidence" transformed him from a trade-requesting bench player into a vital core player for the Boston Celtics.

Published: Tuesday, 20 October 2026 at 12:00 AM
Payton Pritchard’s ‘delusional confidence’ a big reason for his Celtics success
Key Things to Know
  • Ben Handler argues Payton Pritchard's strong self-belief fueled his rise to stardom with the Boston Celtics.
  • Pritchard credited his previous trade request to a work-ethic-driven confidence that he could help the team win.
  • Boston executive Brad Stevens retained Pritchard and later signed him to a two-year, $44.2 million extension.
The Story in 60 Seconds

Writer Ben Handler argues that Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard's self-belief and work ethic fueled his rise from a reserve to a core contributor. Pritchard recently reflected on having 'delusional confidence' when he previously requested a trade due to lack of playing time, explaining that his relentless preparation convinced him he could help the team win at a high level.

Handler notes that Celtics executive Brad Stevens retained Pritchard and cleared rotation space by moving other guards. Pritchard was subsequently rewarded with a two-year, $44.2 million contract extension, with Handler suggesting the guard could take on an expanded scoring role behind Jayson Tatum this season.

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