Bruce Brown vs Gary Payton II

Bruce Brown scored more in 2025-26, 0.4 points a game apart (7.9 vs 7.5), on Payton II's heavier usage (17.7% vs 14.2%).

Payton II is the more efficient scorer by true shooting, 63.2% to 56.2%; TS% folds threes and free throws into one number, so the gap survives shot-diet differences.

Playmaking goes to Brown (2.1 vs 1.7 assists), the glass to Brown (3.9 vs 3.6 rebounds).

Availability is part of the comparison: Brown played 9 more games (82 vs 73 of 82).

With Brown on the floor his team outscored opponents by -1.0 per 100 possessions, against -2.3 for Payton II; on-court net rating carries the teammates with it, so read it next to PIE.

On the books for 2026-27: Brown — through —, Payton II $2.4M through 2026-27. Whether either fits a trade is a Trade Machine question, not a stat one.