Jordan Goodwin’s future in the NBA was uncertain at the start of the 2024-25 season until he signed a two-way deal with the Los Angeles Lakers on February 7. He made an immediate impact in his debut, scoring 10 points and grabbing four rebounds. Goodwin has consistently contributed off the bench, averaging 6.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.3 steals per game, while showcasing valuable defensive skills aided by his 6-foot-10 wingspan. Despite his strong performance, he is currently ineligible for the NBA Playoffs due to his contract status, but the Lakers may soon convert him to a standard deal to resolve this issue.
Jordan Goodwin’s position in the NBA faced uncertainty early in the 2024-25 NBA season. However, the determined guard made his comeback with the Los Angeles Lakers, signing a two-way contract with the team on Feb. 7.
Goodwin played his first game with the Lakers on Feb. 8, instantly making an impression in his debut. The versatile 26-year-old scored 10 points, grabbed four rebounds, and contributed one assist in nearly 25 minutes from the bench for Los Angeles. This performance was just the beginning.
Goodwin made a strong impression early on with the Lakers, leaving his mark off the bench every time. Even in contests where the offense didn’t shine as brightly as in his first two outings, Goodwin remained on the floor by delivering tenacious defense.
This type of contribution quickly caught the attention of JJ Redick, the head coach of the Lakers. He even mentioned to Jovan Buha that he envisions Goodwin becoming part of the Lakers’ rotation going forward. However, one major obstacle remains.
Goodwin is positioning himself for a standard NBA contract
Goodwin has played in eight games for the Lakers this season. The four-year veteran is averaging 6.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.0 assists, and 1.3 steals per game, with shooting splits of 53-31-67.
The most significant asset that Goodwin brings to the Lakers has already been mentioned. His wingspan, which enhances his overall defensive prowess, has been invaluable during his time on the court for the team.
Specifically, Goodwin’s impressive 6-foot-10 wingspan provides the Lakers comfort when they play without a conventional center. It greatly supports the aggressive and intense defensive style that Redick and his coaching staff have successfully implemented. For those unaware, this lineup has recorded the top defensive rating (107.2) in the NBA over the last 15 games.
The challenge of continuing to utilize Goodwin off the bench for the Lakers relates to what this article’s title indicates: he is currently ineligible for the NBA Playoffs.
The positive aspect is that this situation can be resolved fairly easily. The Lakers have the option to convert Goodwin to a standard NBA contract, which would eliminate that issue. The financial considerations of upgrading his contract may be why the move hasn’t happened yet, as noted by Bryan Toporek of SB Nation. The Lakers’ situation concerning the second apron’s hard cap has been highlighted as a significant factor in this context.
The encouraging news is that this seems to be a question of when rather than if for Los Angeles. With Redick indicating he wants Goodwin to play a substantial role in the team’s future, a new contract should eventually be forthcoming once enough time passes for the Lakers to manage their budget under that hard cap.