Jordan Goodwin’s path to All-Defensive recognition is suddenly looking a lot more real in Phoenix.
The Suns guard has spent the summer in the weight room, adding muscle to a frame that already plays long and physical. Goodwin said the work was aimed directly at sharpening the part of his game that already stands out.
“The work I put in the weight room this summer with the training staff is going to take it up (defending) to another level. Being more stronger, more athletic, move a little bit faster. Help me get in position; I think that's going to help me out a lot.”
That kind of upgrade could matter. Goodwin didn’t draw a single All-Defense vote last season, even though he was Phoenix’s most versatile stopper on a night-to-night basis.
He can chase quick guards, stay attached to elite wings and hold his own against bigger forwards inside. That versatility made him valuable all year, and it also gave head coach Jordan Ott the freedom to pair him with Jamaree Bouyea in certain lineups, something that worked because both players bring length and because Goodwin embraces the defensive grind.
At 27, he’s already central to what was a top-10 defense last season, and a starting role doesn’t feel out of reach. The Suns clearly value that edge too, which is why bringing him back on a long-term deal made sense from the start. Goodwin isn’t coasting on what he already does well; he’s trying to push it higher.
The addition of Miles Bridges could also help his case. If Bridges handles his end of the floor seriously, Goodwin should be able to spend more time on smaller matchups, where his size and added strength can really cause problems. And with Mark Williams set to miss extended time through injury, Goodwin could also end up sliding up a spot or two.
If he keeps checking multiple positions and does it at a level he hasn’t shown before, the All-Defensive attention should come with it.
In Other News...
Suns Frontcourt Battle Is Putting Real Pressure On Oso Ighodaro
The Suns leaned into a three-guard look in preseason against the Detroit Pistons, but the bigger storyline sat in the frontcourt, where Oso Ighodaro got the start and Khaman Maluach continued making his case for a larger role. For a team still sorting out its rotation, that kind of competition matters, especially when the center spot can shape both the defense and the spacing around Phoenixs guards.
Maluach showed the kind of defensive presence that can change a coachs thinking, and he even flashed a bit more on offense with a three-point attempt. Nothing has been decided yet, and the Suns are not tipping their hand on any roster change, but the pressure is real for Ighodaro if Maluach keeps turning preseason minutes into evidence that he belongs in the starting conversation. [Read more 🡒]
Suns Still Have A Few Preseason Battles That Matter Before Opening Night
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Haywood Highsmiths rocky preseason debut did not settle anything, and the back end of the roster remains in motion as the staff keeps sorting through options. Ryan Dunn, meanwhile, has to do more to separate himself in the battle for playing time, with the Suns also weighing other young options as they try to find the right mix before the games count. [Read more 🡒]
Suns Fans Get An Early Look At A Rotation Battle Taking Shape
The early preseason minutes already offered a clue about how Jordan Ott wants to sort through the Suns frontcourt, and the next test comes against Chicago after the loss to Detroit. Phoenix is still in the stage where lineup choices matter more for what they reveal than for what they decide, and the staff is using these exhibition games to get a better read on fit, rhythm and chemistry.
Ott is keeping the same starting group in place for a second straight game, a sign that the battle up front is far from settled even as roles begin to take shape. The plan also calls for the starters to log more time against the Bulls, giving the Suns a longer look at how the group functions together before the rotation starts to tighten. [Read more 🡒]