Celtics Guard Named One Of The Most Underpaid Players In NBA History

Celtics Guard Named One Of The Most Underpaid Players In NBA History originally appeared on NESN.
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Talk about bang for your buck.

After ranking the most overpaid players in NBA history, HoopsHype ranked the most underpaid players in NBA history.

Three players with Boston Celtics ties made the list, including Payton Pritchard.

According to HoopsHype’s Real Value metric, which estimates a player’s market value, Pritchard has been underpaid every season he’s been in the NBA. HoopsHype estimates his career Real Value at $78.5 million compared to the $24.4 million he’s earned, meaning his Real Value is $54.2 million higher than his career earnings.

That ranks him 22nd among the most underpaid players in NBA history, placing him between Allen Iverson and Chauncey Billups.

“Pritchard has developed into a deep outside scorer and confident tough-shot-maker, skills that have helped him overcome his shortcomings in vertical athleticism and size,” HoopsHype’s Frank Urbina wrote. “Pritchard just posted a season that saw his Real Value outpace his actual salary by $26.8 million, so if he’s able to keep up his 2025-26-level of play, he’s actually going to fly up this ranking soon.”

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Few saw Pritchard becoming the player he is today when the Celtics selected him with the No. 26 pick in the 2020 NBA Draft.

Pritchard broke out in his fifth season when he was named the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year. He then averaged a career-high 17.0 points per game in 2025-26 while starting 50 of 79 games.

Pritchard signed a two-year, $44.2 million extension in October that includes a mutual option for the 2029-30 season.

Despite that deal, HoopsHype believes Pritchard will continue climbing the list because his Real Value significantly outpaced his actual salary last season. If he maintains his 2025-26 level of play, he’s likely to continue moving up the rankings.

Jayson Tatum joins Pritchard on the list at No. 14, with HoopsHype estimating his Real Value to be $271 million compared to $210.1 million in career earnings. Former Celtics star Isaiah Thomas ranks No. 12, with a Real Value of $96.1 million compared to $32.7 million in career earnings.

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