This Phoenix Suns team has taken many by surprise with their dominance while also dealing with injuries. After another big win, arguably the best of the year, vs the Oklahoma City Thunder, this team is setting itself up to exceed everyone’s expectations.
One of those big names to help them win the latest contest was Jordan Goodwin, who had a career-high in three-pointers made with eight, to help secure the victory.
Goodwin is in his second tenure with Phoenix and proving to be someone who could be a part of the long haul, too, with his fit to the squad. That being said, his contract becomes guaranteed on January 10th, leaving the Suns with a decision to make.
Now this decision should be easy: they should guarantee his contract, as he has more than proved to be a fit schematically and has deserved it with his hard work. So let’s look back and analyze the whole Goodwin situation this year.
How it Started?
Goodwin was brought back to the Suns after the Los Angeles Lakers waived him in the offseason. The Lakers waived Goodwin to sign Marcus Smart, a very similar defensive stopper archetype that the Lakers felt was an upgrade. Once he was placed on waivers, the Suns claimed him and his non-guaranteed money. This would allow them to try out for the season and see if he could be a long-term fit.
That battle started in the offseason, when the Suns were deciding between Goodwin and Jared Butler. Butler was another guard who was trying to compete for the final roster spot after some impressive seasons in Washington. As much as I was a fan of Butler and thought he could be good depth, he brought a very similar game to the other offensive guards in Collin Gillespie and Devin Booker. His strengths were offensive, and the Suns needed that scrappy defensive guard more; hence, they kept Goodwin and waived Butler before the season started.
How is it going?
The audition was already done with Goodwin succeeding in that department. Now he just had to show he could be impactful, and that came easily for the guard. As I mentioned, he is one of those scrappy defensive guards who will take a guard scorer, ice him out, and fight for every rebound. He has done this multiple times this season, while also shining as a three-point shooter (especially against the Thunder).
With the Suns having injuries to guards all year long, he has had to step up to fill bigger shoes and has lived up to those expectations. These are the type of players Jordan Ott wants: guys who fight on both sides of the floor, and Goodwin fills those expectations.
His stats this season have all risen with his integration into this Suns lineup. The guard is averaging 9.2 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.4 steals in 21.2 minutes per game. All while shooting efficiently as well (41/36/78), which is just as impressive for the guard. For someone who was bouncing around last season trying to stick in an organization, he definitely has found a home in the league now.
How will it finish?
With Goodwin’s contract date coming up and him playing well beyond expectations, it is expected that he will stay with the team this year, but what about after?
The Suns once again have found another diamond-in-the-rough type of role player who can be a piece for the long haul. He has already proved he can fit Ott’s system, but also has shown he is the defensive guard this team needs, and should give minutes too. I expect him to share those guard minutes still this season, even if he does lose some when Jalen Green and Grayson Allen return. That said, I still think he should see fourth-guard minutes. A guard rotation of Booker, Green, Gillespie, and Goodwin seems ideal for me heading into the next wave of this Suns identity.
That leaves Allen as a possible trade candidate for the elusive power forward this team needs. Jamaree Bouyea as well. Will see minutes, but mainly as an injury-preservation piece, even if he does deserve a guaranteed deal like Goodwin.
Then next season, I see the Suns and Goodwin negotiating a deal to bring him back. A 2-year contract worth 2 years, giving him a bump over the minimum like $8-10 million, would satisfy both parties. Goodwin gets a role where he is already comfortable and can continue to rise, while the Suns strike gold on another investment project for their future.
What are your guys’ thoughts on Jordan Goodwin’s impactful play this year, and do you think he has a future here?