Payton Pritchard: 6MOTY Top Pick for 2024

Just when you think the Boston Celtics is already a perfect team that has a lot of star players at its disposal, it cannot be denied that the team is now seeing the emergence of another player who has been with the team for a long time. That’s right, the confidence from Payton Pritchard has started to become quite fun to watch, and it is no secret that he is also making a lot of noise as the leading candidate to win this season’s Sixth Man of the Year Award.

What Makes Payton Pritchard a Prime Candidate for 6MOTY?

Selected 26th overall in the 2020 NBA Draft by the Celtics, Payton Pritchard has indeed gone a long way from being a struggling guard reserve before the team unlocked his potential and showed that he can be more than just a backup player who drills 30-foot shots at the buzzer. At this point, he is now eating a lot of minutes off the Celtics’ rotation, and he is now effectively their sixth man who gives the team a spark off the bench.

Pritchard has been an elite performer for the Celtics so far image

Now more than ever, Pritchard has been one of the deadly scorers in the game for the Boston Celtics, and it cannot be denied that his rise to prominence begs him not to be just included for the 6MOTY race, but even for the Most Improved Player award at best. It is a landmark run for him, and he is not slowing down at the age of 26.

2025 NBA Sixth Man of the Year Odds (Updated as of December 16, 2024)

Rank	Player, Team	Best Odds to Win
1	Payton Pritchard, Boston Celtics	+170
2	Buddy Hield, Golden State Warriors	+450
3	Bennedict Mathurin, Indiana Pacers	+900
4	Tre Mann, Charlotte Hornets	+1800
5	Aaron Wiggins, Oklahoma City Thunder	+3000

Already hailed as one of the fan favorites and engraved well in Celtics lore, Pritchard is doing more to ensure that fans will remember his name for the years to come while his career grows to a much bigger scale. The former Oregon Ducks and West Linn High School star worked hard during the offseason and is doing it all in his fifth season with the Celtics.

Effective Scoring

When Pritchard entered the league as the 26th overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, he was known for his solid decision-making, ability to run an offense, and a reliable outside shot. However, in his first few seasons, he struggled to carve out consistent minutes in the Celtics’ rotation due to the team’s deep backcourt. He was often overshadowed by established stars like Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and more recently Marcus Smart. But in the 2023-2024 season, Payton Pritchard’s development as a scorer has started to grab attention, and it’s clear that his offensive game is evolving in significant ways.

Payton Pritchard Stats: The Last Five Years

Season	Points per Game	FG%	3PT%
2024-25	16.4	48.9%	43.1%
2023-24	9.6	46.8%	38.5%
2022-23	5.6	41.2%	36.4%
2021-22	6.2	42.9%	41.2%
2020-21	7.7	44%	41.1%

Pritchard’s scoring isn’t just limited to catch-and-shoot opportunities; he’s also showing growth as a player who can create offense for himself. In his early years with the Celtics, Pritchard was often seen as a traditional point guard—facilitating the offense and setting up others. But in the past season, he has become more aggressive in looking for his own shot.

Increased Production Level

The Celtics’ offensive system, under coach Joe Mazzulla, is predicated on ball movement and spacing, and this system plays to Pritchard’s strengths as a shooter and playmaker. With the Celtics’ roster full of elite scorers like Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, Pritchard often finds himself open for shots, as defenders are preoccupied with the team’s stars.

What’s been impressive is his ability to capitalize on these opportunities. Instead of being passive, Pritchard has become a player who can punish defenses for leaving him open. His quick release and deep range make him an ideal player for the Celtics’ motion offense, where spacing and ball movement often create wide-open looks for perimeter players.

Who Are Other Picks for the Sixth Man of the Year?

While the season has seen the best of Payton Pritchard, there have been other key candidates on the mix who have also made a promising case for the Sixth Man of the Year so far, with their respective impacts for their teams being quite impressive at this point as well. Here are some of the other picks you can consider for the 6MOTY if you are not that confident to bet on for Pritchard or have calculated some impressive potential earnings when you visit our Parlay and Odds Calculator.

Tre Mann image

Tre Mann, Charlotte Hornets

Tre Mann has been on a spark of growth ever since he moved from Oklahoma City. He has been really showing impressive performances coming off the bench – all while complementing both Brandon Miller and LaMelo Ball. Mann’s averages of 14.1 ponts, 3.0 assists, and 2.9 rebounds on 43.5% shooting from the field and 40% from three are so far – all career-highs.

Buddy Hield image

Buddy Hield, Golden State Warriors

As one of the veterans on this list, Hield has been on a different trajectory compared to his years with the New Orleans Pelicans, the Sacramento Kings, or even the Indiana Pacers. So far, he is shooting the lights out and has been really an impressive performer for the Warriors – although he’s been in a tough shooting slump recently.

Aaron Wiggins image

Aaron Wiggins, Oklahoma City Thunder

While he hasn’t seen much of a rise in the scoring production, it has been his impact on the floor that has made him a viable pick for the Sixth Man of the Year. OKC has enjoyed his boost on the energy and hustle plays – which has been expanded with bigger minutes ever since OKC opted to trade Josh Giddey in the offseason. As an efficient performer off the bench, Wiggins easily takes a spot on this list for one to consider.

Bennedict Mathurin image

Bennedict Mathurin, Indiana Pacers

After shining bright on the playoff stage last season especially in the Eastern Conference Finals, it does seem that Bennedict Mathurin is due for some recognition with the way he is playing right now, and fans can expect him to carry the load off the bench with both Pascal Siakam and Tyrese Haliburton also providing impressive playmaking that has opened up bigger avenue for Mathurin to thrive on. Now more than ever, Mathurin is really getting a lot of good performances, and he is definitely showing that he is worth the bet, too.

Who Will Win the Sixth Man of the Year Award this Season?

The Sixth Man of the Year award in the NBA is one of the most coveted individual honors, recognizing the league’s best player coming off the bench. It’s an award that often goes to a player who provides a scoring spark, energy, or vital minutes in key moments—making their contributions even more valuable because they don't start games. Predicting the winner of this prestigious award requires considering factors such as a player's scoring ability, role on their team, and how their contributions impact the overall success of their squad.

Make sure to consult our Gamble AI if you have some concerns in your betting plans or in need of a new betting strategy. The more well-thought your wagers are, the bigger your chances of winning in each of your wagers!

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