The Los Angeles Lakers watched Jordan Goodwin destroy them as the Phoenix Suns overcame a 15-point deficit to pick up a 113-104 preseason win, and fans didn't forget that LA chose to keep Bronny James over the former fan favorite. Goodwin went for 24 points, six assists, four rebounds, and one steal in 37 minutes of action on Tuesday night. The Suns rested their regulars, but Goodwin and Jared Butler destroyed the Lakers to ruin Luka Doncic’s preseason debut.
It was another abysmal preseason performance from Bronny James. He had seven points, four rebounds, two assists, one steal, and one block in 22 minutes, but the Lakers were outscored by 24 points with him on the floor. They dominated with Luka in the game, but as soon as he went to the bench, things fell apart. Bronny was bad in the preseason opener, and Tuesday night was worse as the Suns weren’t playing their normal rotation players.
Fans knew the Lakers would regret dumping Goodwin, but they didn’t think it would happen this soon. Head coach JJ Redick trusted him with minutes in four playoff games. He was a rotation piece. The Lakers had a roster crunch and chose the upside of Bronny. That certainly looks like a mistake.
Bronny James' regret grows after Jordan Goodwin destroys the Lakers
Fans were not happy that Goodwin was waived to make room to sign Marcus Smart. The veteran guard also struggled for the Lakers in his first preseason action on Tuesday night. Lakers fans know Goodwin had a bit of extra juice, and everything about his game proved LA wrong.
The Lakers have a Bronny James problem. They want to contend for a championship this season and need a roster full of players who can contribute. Nothing about the 21-year-old’s preseason says he is ready. He is shooting 25 percent from the field with two 3-point makes in four preseason contests. To make matters worse, the Lakers have been outscored by 29 points in his 84 minutes on the floor.
The wise move for a contender was keeping the capable rotation piece over the developing 21-year-old second-round pick that has done nothing to prove he’s ready for NBA minutes. LA went the other way in part to keep LeBron James happy. He has dreamed about playing with his son and continues to get that wish, even as Bronny struggles.
Jordan Goodwin may not crack the Suns' nightly rotation this season. They are loaded on the wing, but Jalen Green’s hamstring injury may open the door. The 26-year-old looked ready to deliver on Oct. 14, and the Lakers were certainly regretting letting him walk.
The Los Angeles Lakers have two more preseason games, and they desperately need to see something from Bronny James. The 21-year-old isn’t ready for the rotation, but he must prove he deserves a roster spot. This is Luka’s team now. The Lakers have to build a title contender around him.
A couple more nightmare performances could have the franchise questioning Bronny’s future. So far, things have been a nightmare, but the 21-year-old still has time to turn it around.