Paul George is one of the highest-paid players in the NBA, yet Payton Pritchard—a player making a fraction of his salary—is outscoring him in 20-point games this season.
Despite George’s $49.2 million salary, he has only managed nine 20-point performances, while Pritchard, who earns just $6.7 million, has 17 such games this season. The salary gap is staggering, with PG making over seven times more than Pritchard, yet producing fewer explosive scoring performances.
Pritchard is having a career-best season, establishing himself as one of the top sixth men in the NBA. Coming off the bench for the Boston Celtics, he is averaging 14.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game, while shooting an impressive 47.1% from the field and 41.5% from three. His ability to consistently provide scoring, energy, and efficiency has made him a frontrunner for the Sixth Man of the Year Award.
Boston’s depth and strong guard play have been crucial in maintaining their 40-16 record, which has them sitting second in the Eastern Conference, trailing only the Cleveland Cavaliers. Pritchard’s ability to come in and provide instant offense has been a game-changer, allowing the Celtics to dominate opponents even when their starters are resting.
Meanwhile, Paul George has underwhelmed in his first season with the Philadelphia 76ers. After signing a four-year, $211 million max contract, expectations were sky-high for the nine-time All-Star.
Instead, he has put up modest numbers of 16.2 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game, shooting 42.8% from the field and 36.2% from three. While those are still solid stats, they fall short of what’s expected from a player earning over $49 million per year.
Philadelphia’s struggles as a team have only magnified George’s inconsistency. The Sixers currently sit 11th in the Eastern Conference with a 20-35 record, meaning they are outside even the play-in tournament. With Joel Embiid sidelined for much of the season, the burden has fallen on George to carry the offense. So far, he hasn’t been able to elevate his play to superstar levels.
The Celtics remain the favorites to defend their championship, thanks to their elite depth, defense, and star power. With Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Kristaps Porzingis leading the charge, Boston is built to make another deep playoff run. Pritchard’s emergence as a reliable scorer and playmaker off the bench has given them yet another weapon to utilize in the postseason.
On the other hand, the Sixers are at a crossroads. With Embiid injured and their playoff hopes fading, some analysts believe they should consider tanking to secure a top-six pick. Otherwise, their 2025 first-round draft pick will be sent to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Given their current standing, Philadelphia may be better off prioritizing the future rather than chasing an unlikely play-in berth.
The contrast between Paul George and Payton Pritchard this season highlights an interesting reality in the NBA—big contracts don’t always equate to big performances.
While George is getting paid like a superstar but producing like a role player, Pritchard is playing like a star while earning bench money. As the season progresses, the Celtics look poised for another deep playoff run, while the Sixers face major questions about their future.
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