Jordan Goodwin Is Doing the Dirty Work-and the Suns Are Better for It
Jordan Goodwin isn’t the flashiest name in the league. He’s not putting up gaudy box score numbers or making nightly highlight reels.
But if you’ve been watching the Phoenix Suns lately, you know exactly how important he’s become. Now in his fifth NBA season and back for a second stint with the Suns, Goodwin is quietly playing the best basketball of his career-and doing it in a way that doesn’t always show up in the stat sheet.
After being waived by the Lakers this past offseason-despite playing solid minutes for them down the stretch of the 2024-25 campaign-Goodwin returned to Phoenix and immediately reminded everyone why he’s a fan favorite. The irony? He’s exactly the kind of player the Lakers could use right now.
The Glue Guy Every Contender Needs
Goodwin’s impact starts on the defensive end. As of December 1, the Suns rank 14th in the NBA in defensive efficiency-a number that doesn’t leap off the page, but is safely above league average. And when you dig into the film, it’s clear Goodwin is a big reason why.
He’s a relentless on-ball defender, the kind of guard who makes life miserable for opposing ball handlers. He fights through screens, closes out with discipline, and rarely takes a possession off.
At 6-foot-3, he rebounds like someone five inches taller, routinely crashing the glass and creating extra possessions. His energy is contagious, and his hustle sets a tone for the second unit.
Meanwhile, the Lakers-who let him walk-are sitting at 17th in defensive rating. That’s not a massive gap, but it’s the kind of difference that matters when you’re stuck in the middle of the pack.
A player like Goodwin doesn’t just fill a role-he can tilt the margins in your favor. And in a league where the margins often decide playoff seeding, that matters.
More Than the Numbers
Let’s be honest: if you’re just looking at Jordan Goodwin’s career stats, you’re probably not impressed. His true shooting percentage sits at 50.1%, and he’s not a high-volume scorer or elite athlete.
He’s not going to light up the scoreboard or win a dunk contest. But that’s never been his game.
Watch him play, and you see a guy who does all the little things right. He makes the extra pass.
He rotates on time. He contests shots without fouling.
He dives for loose balls. He sets hard screens.
He communicates. He competes.
And this season, he’s added a bit more to his offensive game. Goodwin has been hitting threes at a respectable clip-enough to keep defenses honest.
If he can keep that up, it’s a bonus. But even if the shot doesn’t fall consistently, he’s still earning his minutes with effort, IQ, and toughness.
A Free Agent Worth Keeping
Goodwin will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season, and here’s where it gets tricky. Players like him-low-usage guards with modest counting stats-don’t always get the benefit of the doubt in free agency. He’s not going to command a huge deal, and that might make it harder for him to land a guaranteed contract.
But the Suns would be wise not to overthink this. Goodwin fits.
He brings something this team needs. And in a locker room full of stars, he’s the guy doing the work that doesn’t always get noticed-but always matters.
He’s not the headliner. He’s the guy who makes sure the show runs smoothly.
And right now, Phoenix is better because of it.