The Los Angeles Lakers waived Jordan Goodwin in July of 2020. Unfortunately, Goodwin has since made them pay for the decision by evolving into the exact type of player they needed in 2025-26. That's made the pursuit of a reunion a fairly hot topic. The problem is: The Phoenix Suns don't intend to let him go.
According to Jake Fischer of The Stein Line, the Suns are aiming to re-sign Goodwin before other teams can steal him from them. Rival executives appear resigned to the belief that he'll accept their offer.
"League sources say Phoenix has opened discussions with two of its own free agents in this early negotiation window: Collin Gillespie and Jordan Goodwin. Rival teams are already operating under the assumption that the Suns will strike new deals to retain both of them."
For a Lakers team in dire need of athletic guards who can defend multiple positions, missing out on Goodwin before they even have a chance to negotiate a reunion is a bit of a punch to the gut.
Rival execs believe Suns will re-sign former Lakers guard Jordan Goodwin
Goodwin appeared in 29 games for the Lakers in 2024-25, starting in five of his showings. During that time, he averaged 5.6 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.0 steal, and 0.9 three-point field goals made per game on .438/.382/.818 shooting.
Having posted those numbers in 18.7 minutes per game, Goodwin's averages translated to 10.7 points, 7.4 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 2.0 steals, and 1.7 three-point field goals made per 36 minutes.
The reason Los Angeles waived Goodwin appeared to be a combination of their lack of financial flexibility and the admittedly reasonable concerns over how legitimate his improvement as a shooter was. Keep in mind: Between 2022-23 and 2023-24, he shot just 30.9 percent from beyond the arc.
In 2025-26, however, he answered the latter question with resounding proof of his quality as he emerged as one of Phoenix's most important two-way players.
Jordan Goodwin would've been a dream fit as a 3-and-D specialist
Goodwin appeared in 70 games for the Suns in the 2025-26, starting 10. During that time, he recorded averages of 8.7 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1.6 three-point field goals made in 22.5 minutes per game on .413/.371/.696 shooting.
Unfortunately, the Lakers don't appear to have much of a chance to reunite with one of the better 3-and-D guards in the NBA following Goodwin's career year.
It's quite a shame, as Goodwin solidified his status as a top defender by ranking No. 2 in the Association in ball screen navigation. He also placed in the 93rd percentile in perimeter isolation defense, the 90th percentile in off-ball chaser defense, and the 83rd percentile in rim deterrence.
If Fischer's report proves true, then the Lakers will have to hope that they can find another one of the rare few who defended and shot as well as Goodwin in 2025-26 on the open market.
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