Payton Pritchard's career year could be capped with some hardware.
Payton Pritchard's career year could be capped with some hardware.Erin Clark/Globe Staff
This story originally appeared in the Globe’s Sunday Basketball Notes.Read the rest here.
NBA award time is approaching and, of particular interest to Celtics fans, is the Sixth Man of the Year, for which sharpshooter Payton Pritchard appears to be a favorite. It would be the Celtics’ second recent Sixth Man honor, as Malcolm Brogdon was the winner in 2023.
Let’s take a look at the candidates and their chances:
▪ Payton Pritchard, Celtics — Perhaps one of the league’s biggest surprises, Pritchard has become the bench scorer the Celtics desperately needed since trading Brogdon to the Trail Blazers. Pritchard went into the weekend averaging 14.1 points off the bench and shooting 41.3 percent from the 3-point line in 72 games. Pritchard has also become the master of the last-second shot. His rise to being a formidable weapon off the bench has helped the Celtics’ quest for their second consecutive 60-plus win season and No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference. Chances to win: 40 percent
▪ Malik Beasley, Pistons — Another major surprise considering how he was discarded after one year with the Bucks, Beasley went into Friday’s games 11th at 42.1 percent from the 3-point line and averaging 16.2 points for the resurgent Pistons. Beasley has been one of the reasons Detroit has an opportunity to nab the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference. The advantage that Pritchard has over Beasley is rebounding and playmaking. Pritchard, despite being 3 inches shorter than Beasley, averages more rebounds (3.8) than his Detroit counterpart (2.7). Beasley may get votes because of the Pistons’ rise and his ability to make big shots. Chances to win: 35 percent
▪ De’Andre Hunter, Hawks/Cavaliers — The issue for Hunter will be games played. He had played in 57 games entering Friday, and any player needs to play 65 to be eligible for awards. Hunter is shooting a stellar 44.9 percent from the 3-point line since being acquired by the Cavaliers at the trade deadline, and he’s leading qualifying Sixth Man candidates in scoring (17.2 points per game). Hunter’s scoring numbers with the Cavaliers are lower than his first 37 games with the Hawks, but his effective shooting percentage is 63 percent. Chances to win: 15 percent
▪ Ty Jerome, Cavaliers — One of the league’s biggest surprises and perhaps the leading candidate for Most Improved Player, Jerome is one of the primary reasons why Cleveland has improved immensely offensively. Jerome, with his fourth team in six seasons, was averaging a career-high 12.2 points and, like Pritchard, has been a big shot maker. Having Hunter as a teammate may hurt Jerome’s chances, though he’s likely going to get more votes for Most Improved after playing just two games last season because of injury. Chances to win: 10 percent
Gary Washburn is a Globe columnist. He can be reached at gary.washburn@globe.com. Follow him @GwashburnGlobe.