The Los Angeles Lakers are making sure guard Jordan Goodwin is eligible for the playoffs. They are changing his two-way contract to a standard NBA contract. To make space for Goodwin on the roster, the Lakers are letting go of forward Cam Reddish. This move is important because players on two-way contracts cannot play in the postseason. Now that Goodwin has a standard contract, he will be able to participate in the playoffs for the Lakers.
The Lakers are known for finding talented players who were not highly drafted. Alex Caruso and Austin Reaves are great examples of this. Goodwin is the latest successful find by the Lakers` scouting team. He wasn`t drafted in 2021 and played for the Wizards, Suns, and Grizzlies in his first three seasons. In October, he signed a G-League deal with the Lakers, and in February, the Lakers gave him a chance in the NBA with a two-way contract.
Goodwin has made the most of this opportunity. In 19 games, he has played an average of 20.5 minutes per game. He has become an important player off the bench, known for his energy and strong defense. While his 3-point shooting was previously a concern, he is now shooting over 41% from beyond the arc for the Lakers, although this is based on a small number of shots.
The Lakers likely planned to give Goodwin a standard contract for a while. However, they had to manage their budget carefully because of the NBA`s salary rules. By waiting, the Lakers were able to sign Goodwin to a contract that has a smaller impact on their salary cap. This might give them the option to convert another two-way player, like Trey Jemison or Christian Koloko, to a standard contract before the end of the regular season.
Jasper Hawthorne