Latest news with #JordanGoodwin
Yahoo
27-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Lakers Waive Jordan Goodwin, Clear Cap Space To Sign Marcus Smart
Lakers Waive Jordan Goodwin, Clear Cap Space To Sign Marcus Smart originally appeared on Fadeaway World. The Los Angeles Lakers have turned their offseason roster construction efforts around with their recent signing of Marcus Smart in free agency. While this has positively addressed the team's need for an elite defender, the Lakers had the option of either waiving Jordan Goodwin or packaging Dalton Knecht and Maxi Kleber in a trade move before finalizing Smart's signing, according to Lakers insider Anthony Irwin. Certain cap constraints prevented the team from completing the move for Smart. To alleviate this, the Lakers opted to waive Goodwin instead of trading Knecht and Kleber. While efforts to trade the two were made in the last 24 hours, matters never moved beyond the initial stages. The Lakers also didn't intend to give up significant draft assets in these deals. At the time, Irwin had suggested that a potential trade to clear cap space could have been on the table on a recent episode of "Lakers Lounge." He said: "The Lakers have a couple of paths they can head down. One, the Lakers would prefer to complete some type of a consolidation trade, where they send out an expiring contract and Dalton Knecht, and they bring in a player that they are more confident will help them this year and continue on without having to waive Jordan Goodwin." The Lakers are presently expected to offer Marcus Smart a two-year, $11 million deal. With the buyout from the Wizards, the team could acquire him at a discount. Parting ways with Goodwin made the bi-annual exception (BAE) available to the Lakers to complete this move. While Irwin also discussed the situation surrounding Shake Milton, the Lakers eventually opted to waive the guard, clearing up the necessary roster space to acquire Smart. Smart's arrival doesn't necessarily negate the possibility of trade involving Knecht and Kleber. With aspirations of becoming a title contender, the Purple and Gold could continue with building their roster strength, while also keeping a roster spot open to acquire a player later in the season. In this regard, Knecht has garnered a lot of interest in trade rumors over the offseason. As a sharpshooter with high upside, the young guard brings a lot to the table, even if his display in the Summer League was somewhat underwhelming. Meanwhile, Kleber now serves more as an experienced veteran big man at this stage in his career. While his intelligence and floor spacing ability could be of value to several teams in the league, his status as an expiring contract makes him a more appealing acquisition. When considering what the Lakers could get in return for these two, it is important to remember the team's preference for expiring/short-term contracts that will keep their cap space clear for next season. Having addressed the concerns regarding their big man rotation, the Lakers are more likely to pursue a wing defender. While a star-caliber player is an unlikely acquisition in this trade package, the Purple and Gold could look to sign a player capable of contributing to winning right story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Jul 21, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
24-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Phoenix Suns bolster point guard depth with addition of Jared Butler
The Phoenix Suns and free agent guard Jared Butler agreed to a one-year deal, further bolstering a position of need on the team. ESPN's Sham Charania first reported the signing on July 23. The four-year veteran fills the Suns' final roster spot and adds more depth to their point guard position with Collin Gillespie and Jordan Goodwin, who is also joining the team off waivers, Charania also reported on July 23. Butler, 24, became an unrestricted free agent after the Philadelphia 76ers declined his contract's team option. He began the 2024-25 season on a two-way contract with Washington, before he was dealt to Philadelphia in exchange for Reggie Jackson at the trade deadline. He was then converted to a standard contract for the remainder of the year. The 6-foot-3 Butler averaged a combined 9.0 points and 3.7 assists through 60 games for both teams, and started in 17 of his 28 appearances for Philly. His career averages are 6.7 points, 2.8 assists, .450/.341/.818 splits and a 2.5 assist-to-turnover ratio. Butler is mostly remembered as a former NCAA First Team All-American who led Baylor to its 2021 national title, and was that year's Final Four Most Outstanding Player. He's spent most of his NBA career in the G League with the team affiliates of Utah, Oklahoma and Washington. Support local journalism: Subscribe to today. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Suns, 76ers guard Jared Butler agree to 1-year deal
Yahoo
24-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Suns claim Jordan Goodwin off waivers from Lakers
The post Suns claim Jordan Goodwin off waivers from Lakers appeared first on ClutchPoints. The Phoenix Suns have claimed free agent guard Jordan Goodwin off waivers, league sources told ClutchPoints on Wednesday afternoon. Goodwin was waived by the Lakers on Sunday night and was expected to draw plenty of interest on the open market in the wake of Los Angeles' decision to cut him from their roster. News of Goodwin being claimed by the Suns was first reported by ESPN. After former Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart secured a buyout with the Washington Wizards, the Lakers quickly advanced to finalize an agreement with him. As a result, the Lakers needed to free up roughly $5 million in cap space to add Smart. Despite talking with rival teams about a potential consolidation trade, Los Angeles elected to waive Shake Milton and Goodwin, paving the way for Smart to sign his two-year, $11 million contract. Goodwin, 26, is known for being a feisty two-way player coming off the bench. He previously played for the Suns during the 2023-24 season. Although Goodwin has bounced around from team to team early in his career, he played well in 29 games with the Lakers last season. In Los Angeles, Goodwin averaged 5.6 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game while shooting 43.8 percent from the floor and 38.2 percent from 3-point range. The Lakers valued Goodwin as a key bench player in their second unit. With a handful of playoff-contending teams in need of a point guard and taking a look at him in free agency, Goodwin was claimed by the Suns. With Phoenix, the versatile guard now slides into a key secondary role in the backcourt next to Devin Booker, Jalen Green, and Collin Gillespie. Goodwin will see plenty of minutes with the Suns during the upcoming 2025-26 season. After being claimed off waivers, Goodwin will be on the Suns' books for $2.3 million this year, that is if he isn't waived by January 7. The Lakers are no longer responsible for the $25,000 that was partially guaranteed on his contract. This is a strong value move by the Suns, as Goodwin's contract comes at no risk to a team in need of backcourt help. Related: Suns sign former national champion guard to 1-year contract Related: Suns reveal strategy behind Kevin Durant trade, Devin Booker extension
Yahoo
23-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Phoenix Suns bring back guard Jordan Goodwin after he's waived by Lakers
The Phoenix Suns have acquired guard Jordan Goodwin, who most recently was with the Los Angeles Lakers and formerly played for Phoenix. ESPN's Shams Charania first reported the news on July 23. Goodwin, 26, was claimed off waivers and agreed to a $2.3 million veteran minimum deal with only $25K guaranteed, and the remainder is fully protected if not waived by Jan. 7, per ESPN's NBA front office insider Bobby Marks. Goodwin was released by the Los Angeles Lakers alongside Shake Milton to bring in veteran guard Marcus Smart, the 2023 Defensive Player of the Year, signing him for their biannual exception of a two-year deal for $11 million. Goodwin fills one of the Suns' two remaining roster spots for 15 guaranteed deals, and helps with their point guard void. He originally came to the Suns from Washington in the Bradley Beal trade in June 2023. He was waived at the trade deadline in February 2023, signed with the Memphis Grizzlies on a 10-day deal, then signed with the Lakers in September 2024. Now, Goodwin replaces Beal, who was bought out by the Suns on July 16, then joined the L.A. Clippers. Support local journalism: Subscribe to today. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Suns bring back Jordan Goodwin after waiver by Lakers
Yahoo
23-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Zach Lowe wonders if Lakers just released better option than Marcus Smart
The post Zach Lowe wonders if Lakers just released better option than Marcus Smart appeared first on ClutchPoints. After watching the Los Angeles Lakers sign veteran guard Marcus Smart to a two-year, $11 million deal, NBA analyst Zach Lowe wonders if they gave up too soon on Jordan Goodwin. Goodwin was waived to make room for Smart as the Lakers hope the veteran defensive specialist can bolster their identity ahead of a critical 2025-26 campaign. However, is Smart the right player to trust? Considering his recent history with injuries, which have plagued him the past two seasons, perhaps the Lakers would have been better off with the younger, less-expensive option, Lowe pondered, per the Zach Lowe Show. 'Jordan Goodwin was good last year, and they had to waive him to get Marcus Smart, who's played like 40 games in the last two years,' Lowe said. 'There is a universe, and I'm not saying that we're going to live in this universe — the Lakers certainly don't want to — where Jordan Goodwin is as good next season as Marcus Smart. He was good.' For Lowe, Goodwin made significant strides in the latter half of last season. 'Before the playoffs, there was this wonderful story by Dan Wolke about the banshees, as they called them, the banshee culture with the Lakers and Jordan Goodwin and Jarred Vanderbilt, who's still here, setting the tone on defense just by screaming around on defense,' Lowe added. 'And then, of course, they could barely play in the playoffs. But you know, be that as it may, Jordan Goodwin was actually like a real contributor to their team. 'Who, if you talk to their coaches, would be like, 'Oh, you know who the guy I just secretly love on our team is? Jordan Goodwin. He's gone,' Lowe concluded. Perhaps the Lakers are looking back to their last championship team in 2020, which was equipped with over-the-hill veterans that helped All-Stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis to a championship. Veterans such as Rajon Rondo, Avery Bradley, and Danny Green all played significant roles throughout the Lakers' championship run. Lakers part ways with 'key rotation' players for Marcus Smart The Lakers also parted ways with veteran guard Shake Milton to make room for Marcus Smart, per ESPN's Shams Charania. 'Goodwin and Shake Milton were released to clear space for the arrival of Marcus Smart,' Charania reported. Related: Lakers bolster frontcourt with pair of two-way signings Related: LeBron James' 10 best moments as a Laker, ranked
