Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images

Jordan Goodwin joins Phoenix Suns after being waived by Los Angeles Lakers

Goodwin joins a talented core that will be responsible for the first years of the franchise's rebuild.

Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images

The Phoenix Suns agreed to sign point guard Jordan Goodwin on Wednesday. The player recently cut by the Los Angeles Lakers signed with the Arizona team after being released from the NBA waiver list, as revealed by Shams Charania of ESPN. Goodwin was released by the Lakers this week to allow the team to sign Marcus Smart without exceeding the available first-aid cap space. As a result of the move, Shake Milton was also released by Los Angeles.

By claiming the 26-year-old, the Suns inherit Goodwin’s $2.35 million contract, which runs through the 2024-25 NBA season . Although the Lakers exercised the point guard’s contract option in late June, only $25,000 of his salary was fully guaranteed—an amount that will now come out of the Los Angeles cap.

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

Goodwin will earn a spot in the Suns’ rebuild process

A four-year NBA player, Goodwin previously played for Phoenix during a brief stint in 2023-24. He played four games with the team after being involved in the trade with the Washington Wizards for Bradley Beal . He played in 40 games – averaging five points and two assists – before being traded to the Memphis Grizzlies that same season.

The point guard joined the Lakers on a two-way contract in February of this year and was effectively promoted to the main roster in March. He averaged 5.6 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 1.0 steals, shooting 43.8 percent from the field and 38.2 percent from three during his 29 games in 2024-25.

Jordan Goodwin, whom the Suns claimed off waivers from the Lakers, fits the profile of the type of player we had said Phoenix wanted. He will serve as a backup guard. There was another team that was interested in claiming him so Phoenix was not sure they would get him.
— John Gambadoro (@Gambo987) July 23, 2025

Now with the Suns, Goodwin joins a talented core that will be responsible for the first years of the franchise’s rebuild. Phoenix, the team with the highest payroll last season, gained greater financial flexibility with the trade of Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets . Additionally, Bradley Beal agreed to a contract termination and left for the Los Angeles Clippers .

Despite this, the Arizona team benefited from the arrival of some experienced players, notably Dillon Brooks and Jalen Green , the main assets acquired in the Durant trade. The team also received the 10th pick in the 2025 Draft and selected Duke center Khaman Maluach, a promising center at the position. Former Charlotte Hornets player Mark Williams also arrived to bolster the paint.

Phoenix Suns 2025-26 Roster:

PG: Devin Booker – Collin Gillespie – Jordan Goodwin – Jared Butler
SG: Jalen Green – Grayson Allen – Koby Brea
SF: Dillon Brooks – Royce O’Neale
PF: Ryan Dunn – Oso Ighodaro – Rasheer Fleming
C: Mark Williams – Kahman Maluach – Nick Richards

Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images

Jordan Goodwin

Los Angeles Lakers

Phoenix Suns

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A native of Jaipur, Rajasthan, journalist, and a complete soccer and basketball fan, he found the huge interest with basketball by watching videos of Allen Iverson and Tony Parker, but fell head over heels in love with the sport during the Warriors’ championship era (2015-2018). A sports game addict since his late PS1, he’s also passionate about the Eagles, Inter Miami and the Fever. He’s fortunate to have seen all his favorite teams win championships. He also has a special love for cricket and football (soccer), where he is a fan of Royal Challengers Bangalore and Barcelona.