The Phoenix Suns have been one of the more intriguing teams to track this NBA season-not just because of their star power, but because of the savvy moves made behind the scenes. General Manager Brian Gregory deserves credit for assembling a roster that’s deeper and more versatile than people might’ve expected. The big headline was always going to be Kevin Durant, but it’s the under-the-radar additions that are quietly shaping this team’s identity.
One of the most impactful of those moves? Bringing back Jordan Goodwin.
Let’s rewind for a second. The Suns entered the offseason with a glaring need for point guard depth.
They had scoring-plenty of it-but lacked a steady hand to organize the offense when the stars needed a breather. Enter Goodwin, who had a brief stint with the Lakers but never really got his footing in L.A.
Phoenix saw the opportunity and pounced, and it’s looking like one of the smarter pickups of the season.
Goodwin isn’t flashy, but he’s exactly what this Suns team needed: a high-IQ, defensive-minded guard who can hold his own in meaningful minutes. He’s the kind of player who won’t dominate the box score, but if you watch the game closely, you notice him-whether it’s a timely steal, a smart pass, or simply making the right rotation on defense.
And the numbers back it up. When Goodwin is on the court, the Suns’ defense tightens up significantly.
They’re allowing 108.4 points per 100 possessions with him out there, compared to 113.7 overall. That’s not just a marginal improvement-that’s the kind of defensive swing that can shift the outcome of a game.
For context, that 108.4 mark would rank them just behind the Thunder for the best defensive rating in the league.
That’s what Goodwin brings: impact that doesn’t always scream from the stat sheet but shows up in the win column.
Offensively, he’s giving the Suns a career-best 8.5 points per game-outside of a brief 17-game stretch with Memphis, this is the most productive he’s been. He’s not being asked to be a primary scorer, but he’s making the most of his touches. A couple of assists here, a few buckets there-he’s steady, reliable, and doesn’t try to do too much.
With Collin Gillespie recently promoted to the starting lineup-a move that’s also paying dividends-Goodwin’s role off the bench becomes even more critical. He’s the stabilizer.
The connector. The guy who can come in, keep the offense humming, and apply pressure defensively.
And timing matters. With the Suns set to face the Lakers on Christmas Eve, and Luka Dončić having exited L.A.’s recent blowout loss to the Clippers, the contrast between these two teams’ guard depth couldn’t be clearer.
The Lakers could really use a player like Goodwin right now-someone to take pressure off LeBron James and Austin Reaves, especially if Dončić misses time. But it’s Phoenix who will benefit from his presence.
This isn’t just a story about a player finding the right fit-it’s about a front office making the kind of low-key move that championship-caliber teams make. Goodwin might not be the name on the marquee, but his contributions are becoming impossible to ignore. And if he keeps this up, the Suns will have a decision to make when it comes to his long-term role.
For now, though, he’s doing exactly what they need: defending, facilitating, and helping this team stay in the playoff hunt. That’s standing on business.