Phoenix Sports Today

Phoenix Sports News Continuously Updated

Suns Starting PG Remains Unclear After Two Wednesday Signings

by

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 to a one-year deal. It would be interesting to see if one of the two, or returning Collin Gillespie, will be a part of the Suns starting lineup at point guard next season.

The Lakers are waiving Jordan Goodwin to clear space for Marcus Smart after failed trades
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

Suns Starting Point Guard Remains Unclear After Two Wednesday Signings

Jordan Goodwin Joins Suns Off Waivers

After the Lakers added Marcus Smart, it was known that they would have to make further moves in order to fit him. First, they waived Shake Milton, 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.

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).

While the assist total seems fairly low, keep in mind ball-handling duties were often given to Luka Doncic, LeBron James, and Austin Reaves. 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.

Sign Jared Butler To 1-Year Deal

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’s $2.3 million team option for 2025-26,

With the 76ers experiencing a bevy of injuries, 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.

A four-year veteran in the NBA, Phoenix will already be Butler’s fifth team. He was the 40th overall selection in the 2021 NBA Draft.

Back To Point Book?

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.

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 Devin Booker back as the team’s starting point guard. According to John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7, that appears to be the likely
starter.

(Editor’s note: Gambadoro changed his tune Thursday morning, now starting that Jalen Green likely will start at point guard.)

Moving back to shooting guard last season, Booker still averaged a career-best 7.1 assists in 2024-25. The team signed Tyus Jones to be their starting point guard last year, but the veteran signed with the Orlando Magic this offseason.

Photo credit: © John Hefti-Imagn Images

The post Suns Starting PG Remains Unclear After Two Wednesday Signings appeared first on Last Word On Basketball.