RealGM

Where would prime Gary Payton rank in the 2025 NBA?

Note that "prime" is not necessarily peak. Consider the version of Payton to be any random season between 1995 and 2000.

Assume he comes into the season with a full offseason to train.

He would struggle to adapt as a scorer, for sure. He had trouble carrying volume to begin with. But he was a great defender. A tad overrated on 96 but a very good defender. Pace would help but only so much with his shaky J. Not top 10.

Really really good, probably not as good as Luka or Shai, but certainly better than Brunson. I can see him in the Top 10. Place him on a top team, and you can create a contender.

The physical skills, defense, and playmaking are all there. Like most players, he would benefit from being surrounded by big man shooters which would allow him to take a higher percentage of his shots closer to the rim in more open lanes so his efficiency should be better even if his primacy would be a bit less. Probably a top 10 PG but not top 5.

The NBA stopped being super competitive at the top when Kawhi kept getting injured and Harden/Curry/Durant/ left their primes. Along with LeBron taking a step down after injuries.

Harden has been top 10 by multiple metrics as of late and his defensive pressure isn't better than prime Payton's. And neither is his defense.

Once you get past Embiid, Jokic, Luka, Giannis and Shai, there's just a bunch of really good players. No dominant MVP level guys and prime Payton is right with them.

Just a reminder of what prime Payton was: https://ascreamingcomesacrossthecourt.blogspot.com/2014/03/2000-rapm-non-prior-and-prior-informed.html?m=1

tied #2 offensively after Shaq with Malone and peak Grant Hill. While defending decently well.

Jrue Holiday is basically what GP would look like in the modern game. Their skill sets are very similar.