The Phoenix backcourt gets tougher with the return of Jordan Goodwin.
In their quiet but deliberate search to round out the roster, the Phoenix Suns made another move on Wednesday, this time bringing back a familiar face. Jordan Goodwin, the tenacious point guard recently waived by the Lakers to make room for Marcus Smart, is returning to the Valley.
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. pic.twitter.com/SIMQXztpNi
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 23, 2025
Call it a reunion. Call it unfinished business. Either way, Goodwin is back, and the Suns are one step closer to completing their roster puzzle.
You may remember Jordan Goodwin from his stint in Phoenix two seasons ago. He is a hard-nosed, high-energy guard who came over in the blockbuster deal that brought Bradley Beal to the Suns and sent Chris Paul and Landry Shamet to Washington.
Just 25 at the time, Goodwin appeared in 40 games for Phoenix, averaging five points, 2.9 rebounds, and an assist per game, though he struggled from deep, shooting just 28.8% from beyond the arc. He was eventually traded at the 2024 deadline in the deal that brought Royce O’Neale to the Valley.
Last season, Goodwin found new life with the Los Angeles Lakers, beginning the year on a two-way contract before earning a full-time roster spot late in the season. In 29 games, he put up 5.6 points on an improved 38.2% shooting from three, while contributing 3.9 rebounds and 1.4 assists in limited minutes.
Now nearly 28 years old, the 6’3” guard out of Saint Louis University returns to Phoenix, this time as a more seasoned player, and one who fills a clear need. He’ll provide valuable depth at the point guard position, offering a defensive edge and a steady presence to a backcourt rotation still taking shape.
From a contractual standpoint, his team option was exercised by the Lakers before he was waived. However, only $25,000 of that deal was guaranteed, so it will be interesting to see how that figure ultimately appears on the Suns’ cap sheet. Per Bobby Marks, his contract contains no guarantees outside of the January 7, 2026 guaranteed date.
Stay tuned to Bright Side for more updates.
Listen to the latest episode of the Suns JAM Session Podcast below. To stay up to date on every episode, subscribe to the pod on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, YouTube Podcasts, Amazon Music, Podbean, or Castbox.
Please subscribe, rate, and review.