{"id":151824,"date":"2025-07-24T10:40:57","date_gmt":"2025-07-24T14:40:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=151824"},"modified":"2025-07-24T10:40:57","modified_gmt":"2025-07-24T14:40:57","slug":"suns-starting-pg-remains-unclear-after-two-wednesday-signings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/07\/24\/suns-starting-pg-remains-unclear-after-two-wednesday-signings\/","title":{"rendered":"Suns Starting PG Remains Unclear After Two Wednesday Signings"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>In the 2023-24 season, the Phoenix Suns went without a traditional point guard in their rotation. Two years later, it looked like they might do likewise. That is until Wednesday, as Phoenix added two more point\/combo guards. First, they picked up <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/g\/goodwjo01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jordan Goodwin<\/a> off waivers from the Los Angeles Lakers. Then, they signed <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/b\/butleja02.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jared Butler<\/a> to a one-year deal. It would be interesting to see if one of the two, or returning <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/g\/gilleco01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Collin Gillespie<\/a>, will be a part of the Suns starting lineup at point guard next season.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_151342\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-151342\" style=\"width: 640px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-151342\" src=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/07\/USATSI_25908762_168415934_lowres-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"The Lakers are waiving Jordan Goodwin to clear space for Marcus Smart after failed trades\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/07\/USATSI_25908762_168415934_lowres-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/07\/USATSI_25908762_168415934_lowres-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/07\/USATSI_25908762_168415934_lowres-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/07\/USATSI_25908762_168415934_lowres-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/07\/USATSI_25908762_168415934_lowres-2048x1366.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/07\/USATSI_25908762_168415934_lowres-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/07\/USATSI_25908762_168415934_lowres-1200x800.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-151342\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Apr 11, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Jordan Goodwin (30) shoots against Houston Rockets center Jock Landale (2) during the first half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Suns Starting Point Guard Remains Unclear After Two Wednesday Signings<\/h2>\n<h3>Jordan Goodwin Joins Suns Off Waivers<\/h3>\n<p>After <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/07\/20\/how-marcus-smart-impacts-bronny-james\/\" target=\"_self\">the Lakers added<\/a> <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/s\/smartma01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Marcus Smart<\/a>, it was known that they would have to make further moves in order to fit him. First, they waived <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/m\/miltosh01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Shake Milton<\/a>, and later it was announced that Goodwin had also been waived. His $2.35 million contract will not become fully guaranteed until January 10 for the Suns, who added him off waivers.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">The Phoenix Suns have claimed former Lakers guard Jordan Goodwin off free agency waivers, sources tell ESPN. Goodwin, waived by the Lakers to create roster space for Marcus Smart, is a gritty, upside pickup for the Suns backcourt. <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/SIMQXztpNi\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/SIMQXztpNi<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ShamsCharania\/status\/1948126505231397220?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">July 23, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Signed to a two-way deal in February with the Lakers, Goodwin quickly earned a role on their team. At the end of March, his contract was converted into a standard one. The 26-year-old appeared in 29 games (five starts) for LA, averaging 5.6 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.0 steals in 18.7 minutes. He connected on 38.2% of his three-point tries (26-68).<\/p>\n<p>While the assist total seems fairly low, keep in mind ball-handling duties were often given to <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/d\/doncilu01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Luka Doncic<\/a>, <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/j\/jamesle01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">LeBron James<\/a>, and <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/r\/reaveau01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Austin Reaves<\/a>. The 6-foot-3 Goodwin often shared the court with at least one of them. In 119 games the previous two years, he averaged 5.4 assists per 36 minutes.<\/p>\n<h3>Sign Jared Butler To 1-Year Deal<\/h3>\n<p>Charania also was the first to announce that the Suns were signing Butler. Turning 25 years old on August 25, he began last season with the Washington Wizards before being traded to the Philadelphia 76ers. Earlier in the offseason, Philadelphia declined Butler\u2019s $2.3 million team option for 2025-26,<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Free agent guard Jared Butler has agreed to a one-year deal with the Phoenix Suns, Mark Bartelstein and Kieran Piller of <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/PrioritySports?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@PrioritySports<\/a> tell ESPN. The 2021 second-rounder averaged 9 points in 17 minutes per game over 60 contests for the 76ers and Wizards last season. <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/5RvcgFmOsG\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/5RvcgFmOsG<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ShamsCharania\/status\/1948156929789894935?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">July 23, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>With the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/01\/20\/76ers-jared-mccain-injury-news\/\" target=\"_self\">76ers experiencing a bevy of injuries<\/a>, Butler started in 17 of his 28 appearances for them. In that time, he averaged 11.5 points, 2.5 rebounds, 4.9 assists, and 1.1 steals in 24.4 minutes. The 6-foot-3 guard made 35.2% of his three-point tries.<\/p>\n<p>A four-year veteran in the NBA, Phoenix will already be Butler\u2019s fifth team. He was the 40th overall selection in the 2021 NBA Draft.<\/p>\n<h3>Back To Point Book?<\/h3>\n<p>Those two join Gillespie, who performed admirably for the Suns to end last season. The 26-year-old reached double figures in scoring in each of his last three outings.<\/p>\n<p>Despite adding to their point guard depth chart, Phoenix may go back to what they did at the position in the 2023-24 season. That is inserting <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/b\/bookede01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Devin Booker<\/a> back as the team\u2019s starting point guard. According to John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7, that appears to be the likely<br \/>\nstarter.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">So the Suns will have <br \/>Booker<br \/>Gillespie<br \/>Goodwin\/Butler IF they sign Butler with those two competing for the third spot.<\/p>\n<p>&mdash; John Gambadoro (@Gambo987) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Gambo987\/status\/1948148777036161242?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">July 23, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>(Editor\u2019s note: Gambadoro changed his tune Thursday morning, now starting that <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/g\/greenja05.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jalen Green<\/a> likely will start at point guard.)<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Adjustment here <br \/>Plan will likely be Green starting at PG not Booker<br \/>Gillespie as the backup<br \/>With Goodwin and Butler battling for 3rd PG<\/p>\n<p>&mdash; John Gambadoro (@Gambo987) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Gambo987\/status\/1948379585466581067?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">July 24, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Moving back to shooting guard last season, Booker still averaged a career-best 7.1 assists in 2024-25. The team signed <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/j\/jonesty01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Tyus Jones<\/a> to be their starting point guard last year, but the veteran signed with the Orlando Magic this offseason.<\/p>\n<p>Photo credit: \u00a9 John Hefti-Imagn Images<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In the 2023-24 season, the Phoenix Suns went without a traditional point guard in their rotation. Two years later, it looked like they might do likewise. That is until Wednesday, as Phoenix added two more point\/combo guards. First, they picked up Jordan Goodwin off waivers from the Los Angeles Lakers. Then, they signed Jared Butler [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5060,"featured_media":151827,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1608,62,3,28],"tags":[50219,1731,3963,50011],"class_list":["post-151824","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-basketball","category-nba","category-news","category-suns","tag-2025-nba-free-agents","tag-collin-gillespie","tag-jared-butler","tag-jordan-goodwin"],"modified_by":"Kenny Kluska","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/151824","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5060"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=151824"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/151824\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":151911,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/151824\/revisions\/151911"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/151827"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=151824"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=151824"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=151824"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}