The Los Angeles Lakers have emerged as one of the winners of this year’s trade deadline, but they’re not done retooling the roster yet. Their focus now shifts to more minor transactions, as they’ve added a defensive-minded guard from their G League affiliate.
Lakers Add South Bay Standout on Two-Way Contract
Jordan Goodwin, You are a Laker (Again)
LA has brought in combo guard Jordan Goodwin on a two-way contract, the news broken by ESPN’s Shams Charania Friday. He will take the spot of recently waived forward Armel Traore. The Lakers previously signed Goodwin on an Exhibit 10 contract, but they released him prior to the start of the season.
The Los Angeles Lakers are signing guard Jordan Goodwin to a two-way NBA deal, sources tell ESPN. Goodwin has played for G League South Bay after going to training camp with the Lakers.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 7, 2025
Goodwin went undrafted in 2021 after spending his collegiate career at St. Louis University, where he earned two All-Atlantic-10 First Team selections and two A-10 All-Defense nods. He also emerged as St. Louis’ all-time leader in steals (225) and finished fourth in rebounds (998), fifth in assists (504) and 11th in scoring (1,460).
He spent his first two years in the league with the Washington Wizards, shuttling between them and their G League affiliate, the Capital City Go-Go. Goodwin was part of the three-team trade that landed the Suns Bradley Beal. After a year in Phoenix, Goodwin was moved in another three-team deal last summer, going from Phoenix to Brooklyn before he was waived by the Nets. The Grizzlies picked up Goodwin in February, eventually adding him on a two-way contract. In 17 games (12 starts), Goodwin averaged 10.0 points, 8.0 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game on .349/.311/.633 splits.
The Grizzlies released Goodwin this past summer before the Lakers signed and waived him in September. Goodwin has since grown with the South Bay Lakers, averaging 14.6 points (.407/.301/.824 splits), 5.9 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 2.0 steals across 14 games.
What Goodwin Brings to LA
Goodwin shores up the Lakers’ guard depth in the wake of parting ways with Max Christie. He gives LA a decent scorer who impacts the game as a defender and rebounder. Goodwin’s ability to stop the ball and maintain a high motor align perfectly with JJ Redick’s vision for the team. Redick previously hoped the Lakers would become a top-ten defense in the league. While that standing has been shaky at times, the current roster could reach that mark if all goes well, and Goodwin may have a chance to contribute to that.
Goodwin’s ability to crash the glass will be vital for a team that focused on rebounding in the offseason. The Lakers currently rank 26th in rebounds per game (41.7) and 28th in offensive rebounds per game (9.1). Their guards, in particular, are nearly last in boards per game (10.9, 28th), with similar struggles on the offensive glass (2.1 per game, 29th). Goodwin will not change those rankings overnight, but he can alleviate some of that pressure when he gets an opportunity.
After trades that saw the Lakers move on from two promising young players in Christie and Dalton Knecht, Goodwin gives the team another youthful option who will aid LA’s guard depth with his hustle and defense. The Lakers have already seen promise out of two-way center Christian Koloko, and there’s no doubt Goodwin can find similar success with the purple and gold.
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