Joe Mazzulla’s coaching philosophies aren’t that simple. With Jrue Holiday out, he’s willing to trust Payton Pritchard, the reigning Sixth Man of the Year, to take care of playmaking and starting alongside Derrick White. But when Boston brought in Anfernee Simons from Portland to bolster the second unit, some questioned whether that trust in Pritchard was wavering. But Mazzulla doesn’t expect Simons to play like Pritchard.

According to Jay King, the Celtics head coach, “did not like that a question about Payton Pritchard also included a mention of Anfernee Simons,”. There is a correlation, though. Both Pritchard and Simons are explosive scorers who can shoot the ball. But just because they follow a common profile, Mazzulla doesn’t want to club them together.

“I see what you did there, build that correlation between Payton and Anfernee, which I’m sure you’ll try to do the entire season. [I’ll] nip that in the bud immediately. Those two don’t go hand in hand. They’re completely different,” Mazzulla told the reporter.

There could be a battle for the starting role once the season rolls out. Payton Pritchard is very much capable of handling the ball, but is a key part of the Celtics’ strong bench unit. Furthermore, Anfernee Simons’ stint with the franchise is bound to be uncertain. Since the initial trade, the former Trail Blazers guard has been engulfed in trade rumors.

The Celtics, who could miss Jayson Tatum for the entire season, are focusing on shedding as much salary as possible. That began with them trading Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis early in the offseason. Anfernee Simons also carries a $27 million hit, which the Celtics may still look to offload depending on his performances during the season.

If Simons impresses, he could garner interest from around the league as an unrestricted free agent next summer. But how do the Celtics utilize him?

Anfernee Simons can’t replicate Payton Pritchard’s role

When Jayson Tatum was healthy, the Celtics built their identity around the three-point shot, a system that was focused on Payton Pritchard’s range, with more than 70% of his attempts coming from deep. But with the roster shifting, that formula doesn’t look the same anymore. In that light, Mazzulla’s point that Pritchard and Simons don’t naturally complement each other isn’t entirely off base.

The Celtics no longer have Al Horford, a center who could stretch the floor with his shooting and create valuable spacing. Without that kind of versatility this season, their style of play may shift dramatically. Three-point shooting will likely remain a staple, but the responsibility of initiating the offense could fall more on Derrick White or Jaylen Brown alongside the starters.

Anfernee Simons has already proven he can handle the ball, averaging 4.8 assists in just over 30 minutes per game last season. At 26, he’s built a reputation as a scoring guard who can also set up teammates. Payton Pritchard, by contrast, spent last year serving more as Boston’s offensive spark, though he could distribute when needed.

Where Simons falls short is on the defensive end. Pritchard’s intensity often compensated for his size, allowing him to stick with opposing guards and generate extra possessions. Simons hasn’t yet shown that level of impact. For him to earn a steady role under Joe Mazzulla, he’ll need to prove he can contribute on both sides of the floor.

How do you see Simons’ role with the Celtics? Let us know in the comments below.