The Lakers had a choice to make this past summer. With Marcus Smart coming in, they needed to clear space-financially and on the roster.
Rather than exploring a trade or finding a more creative solution, they went with the path of least resistance: waiving Jordan Goodwin. At the time, it felt like a missed opportunity.
Months later, it looks even worse.
Goodwin’s contract was non-guaranteed, which made him the obvious cap casualty once Smart signed his deal following a buyout from Washington. But what made the move so puzzling was that Goodwin had already carved out a role in L.A. while still on a two-way deal.
He wasn’t just filling minutes-he was producing. The Lakers had unearthed a rotation-ready guard with defensive chops and a developing offensive game, and yet they let him walk without much of a fight.
Fast forward to Monday night, and Goodwin gave his former team a front-row reminder of what they let go. In the Suns’ 125-108 win over the Lakers, Goodwin came off the bench and delivered a classic 3-and-D performance: 13 points on 5-of-10 shooting, including 3-of-7 from deep, plus five assists and three steals. It wasn’t flashy, but it was effective-and it was exactly the kind of performance L.A. could use right now.
This wasn’t some revenge game narrative. It was simply a player doing what he’s been doing all season-bringing energy, defense, and just enough scoring to make a difference.
The Lakers didn’t need to find another Marcus Smart. They had their own version already in the building.
To be clear, this isn’t about whether Smart should’ve been signed. He’s a proven veteran with leadership qualities and playoff experience.
But the issue is that the Lakers didn’t need to choose between the two. There was likely a way to keep both, and they didn’t push hard enough to find it.
That’s the part that stings.
Through the first stretch of the 2025-26 season, Goodwin is averaging 8.4 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.5 steals in just over 20 minutes per game. He’s shooting 44.1 percent from the field and a strong 36.8 percent from beyond the arc. Those are solid numbers for a bench guard, especially on a team that’s trending upward.
And make no mistake-the Suns are trending upward. After a disappointing 2024-25 campaign despite having Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal, this year’s group looks far more cohesive.
Under new head coach Jordan Ott, Phoenix has found a rhythm, and Goodwin has been a key part of that. He’s not just filling in gaps-he’s helping define the team’s identity.
It’s the kind of role he could’ve played in Los Angeles: a defensive-minded guard who doesn’t need the ball to make an impact, can knock down open threes, and brings consistent effort every night. That’s not a luxury in today’s NBA-that’s a necessity, especially for a team like the Lakers that’s still trying to figure out its rotation behind its stars.
Letting Goodwin go wasn’t just about losing a bench piece. It was about giving up on a player who fit the system, filled a need, and had already shown he could contribute. Now, he’s doing all of that for a conference rival-and the Lakers are left wondering what could’ve been.
Sometimes the toughest losses don’t come on the scoreboard. They come when you let a player walk out the door, only to watch him thrive somewhere else. That’s the reality the Lakers are facing with Jordan Goodwin.