The picture isn't that pretty either way, but there's a clear upgrade in several quantifiable ways. I think style of play is a mixed bag with Payton vs. Rose, but Rose creates more adjustments by way of his attacking mindset & still (maybe) plus speed & elusiveness.

It's tempting to just say, "Rose is clearly a better player than Payton" because of course he is...and anyone with eyes can see it, but it's also true by way of even limited numbers.

Listening to @LockedOnKnicks discussion of the Rose trade and the criticism of how Payton understands and executes his role on the team - especially with respect to freezing out RJ Barrett. I don't know what Rose is going to do differently, but I have a thought.

How does a skilled creator impact the growth and success of their teammates? The first thing is they have to know where that teammate can be successful & use their own skills to get that teammate into the right position....consciously & with determination.

This is especially true of high usage guys. You need to be a threat but use space you create by being a threat to open opportunities for your teammates. It has to be the right kind of space so you have to know how to play the "right way" where that right kind of space is there.

Being a smart fellow teammate (in this case Barrett) you have to learn what the high usage guy does well, what kind of space is now available, and operate to your strengths inside that space. It's mutual.

It boggles my mind that Payton does almost none of this. He may not be capable, but he also doesn't seem inclined to play that way. I hope Rose is inclined, because he's definitely capable, which is the key difference we're inheriting.

I suspect one of the limitations of IQ's game, that the coaches are concerned with as part of the team's competitive profile, is that he's still learning how to do this sort of thing.