As expected, the Los Angeles Lakers waived two bench contributors last Sunday to complete a deal for former Boston Celtics star Marcus Smart.
While Shake Milton’s tenure with the Lakers is widely perceived as disappointing, the same can’t be said about Jordan Goodwin’s.
The 6-foot-4 guard was a stout on-ball defender and formidable catch-and-shoot sniper with Los Angeles in a reserve role. Goodwin averaged 5.6 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and one steal in 29 contests with the franchise (including five starts).
Unsurprisingly, Goodwin found a new gig less than a week after parting ways with the Lakers.
“The Phoenix Suns have claimed former Lakers guard Jordan Goodwin off free agency waivers,” ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Wednesday. “Goodwin, waived by the Lakers to create roster space for Marcus Smart, is a gritty, upside pickup for the Suns’ backcourt.”
The rebuilding Suns could use an asset like Goodwin to help establish a defensive identity and knock down perimeter jumpers when given the opportunity.
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The Saint Louis product spent the 2023-24 campaign with a Phoenix squad led by Kevin Durant and Devin Booker.
Goodwin contributed 5.0 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game in 40 appearances, shooting 38.9% from the field and 28.7% from deep.
Although it’s safe to say that Goodwin won’t win a championship with the Suns next season, he’ll get a chance to bolster his NBA resume and increase his value in the big leagues.
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