AJ Johnson vs Noah Penda

Noah Penda scored more in 2025-26, 0.5 points a game apart (3.8 vs 3.3), on Johnson's heavier usage (19.5% vs 14.0%).

Penda is the more efficient scorer by true shooting, 50.6% to 41.3%; TS% folds threes and free throws into one number, so the gap survives shot-diet differences.

Playmaking goes to Penda (1.2 vs 1.0 assists), the glass to Penda (3.2 vs 1.1 rebounds).

Availability is part of the comparison: Penda played 11 more games (59 vs 48 of 82).

With Penda on the floor his team outscored opponents by -3.0 per 100 possessions, against -6.4 for Johnson; on-court net rating carries the teammates with it, so read it next to PIE.

On the books for 2026-27: Johnson $3.2M through 2027-28, Penda $2.2M through 2028-29. Whether either fits a trade is a Trade Machine question, not a stat one.