The Los Angeles Lakers have built their reputation as the prime destination for star-caliber talent. From legends such as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Shaquille O'Neal to contemporary stars in Anthony Davis and Luka Doncic, Los Angeles has always been a haven for stars looking to win.
One trend that has developed under Rob Pelinka, however, is that Los Angeles has become the gold standard for finding diamonds in the rough.
Pelinka has caught flack for his general handling of the organization's season-to-season operations. That includes a questionable approach to backing head coaches during turbulent times, thus resulting in said individuals losing the locker room.
A saving grace for Pelinka, however, has been the quality of the scouting department, which has helped mask some of the issues that surfaced due to the team's penchant for trading draft picks.
Pelinka's regime has found gems in undrafted players such as All-Defense guard Alex Caruso and breakout playmaker Austin Reaves. The organization even had Scotty Pippen Jr. on its G League team before he joined the Memphis Grizzlies and rose to prominence within their rotation.
The latest player to be added to that list of unlikely success stories is current Lakers guard Jordan Goodwin—who's fresh off of his best game in the purple and gold.
Jordan Goodwin the latest unsung hero to thrive with the Lakers
Goodwin has appeared in 10 games for the Lakers, each time providing invaluable energy on both ends of the floor. That includes his high-level defense, which has enabled Los Angeles to sustain its elite level of play despite the rush of injuries it's endured.
With Luka Doncic, Rui Hachimura, LeBron James, and Austin Reaves all spending time on the sidelines, Goodwin has been a constant source of value.
Statistically, Goodwin has far exceeded expectations. He's averaging 7.2 points, 4.1 rebounds, 1.5 offensive boards, 1.2 steals, and 1.2 three-point field goals made in just 17.5 minutes per game while shooting at a clip of .537/.480/.667.
Those numbers translate to 14.8 points, 8.4 rebounds, 3.1 offensive boards, 2.5 steals, and 2.5 three-point field goals made per 36 minutes.
If those numbers sound unsustainable for a guard, know that they're on par with his career averages. He currently boasts marks of 13.0 points, 7.7 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 1.8 steals, and 1.4 three-point field goals made per 36 minutes through 131 NBA appearances.
The Lakers have helped Goodwin stabilize his jump shot, but his rebounding, playmaking, and defensive value have been consistently of value.
Moving forward, one can only hope that the Lakers will learn from losing Pippen and make Goodwin a long-term contributor to the rotation. There's still room for growth and a need for patience, as a 10-game sample size is insufficient, but he's hit the ground running in Los Angeles.
Pelinka may have his critics, but if nothing else, he's made an impressive habit out of finding NBA-caliber talent where most wouldn't think to look.