Jordan Goodwin went from the G-League to earning a standard contract on the team and showed enough on the offensive end to earn a chance with the Lakers next season.
Two-way impact role players have always been sought after, but have gained even more significance in today’s NBA and new cap rules. The Lakers appeared to have found one in Jordan Goodwin. The pesky defensive-nosed guard showed real offensive development in hopes of earning minutes in high-leverage games next season.
Goodwin played 14 games for South Bay, the Lakers’ G-League affiliate, before earning a call-up on a two-way. He eventually was converted into a standard NBA contract, and averaged 5.6 points, 3.9 rebounds, and a steal in 19 minutes per game.
As the Lakers prepare to go into next season with Luka Dončić, Austin Reaves, and LeBron James, they have enough ball handling and shot creation covered for all 48 minutes. The key is finding players who can capitalize on the attention they create.
Goodwin, in his short stint of 29 games, showed not only the ability to be an off-ball threat for the stars, but also has the spatial understanding of what shots he needs to take or create.
“Inverted” or “guard-to-guard” screens have experienced significant growth in the modern NBA, mainly due to the increased defensive variety employed to defend the 3-point shot. It’s an action Goodwin consistently played into for LA as an off-ball guard.
Watch in the clip below as he comes to set the ball screen for Dončić at the top of the key. The Nuggets decide to blitz the action, with Dončić delivering the ball in the short roll- a crucial place on the floor for screen partners to operate from.
Goodwin correctly drives and finishes off his miss at the rim. With Dončić consistently being one of the most blitzed players in the league, these shot decisions are essential for keeping the defense honest.
Below is another screen example, this time with one set at the free-throw line extended. This play exploits Minnesota’s reluctance to switch Anthony Edwards onto LeBron.
The defender is looking to hedge and recover back to Goodwin, who instinctively rolls to the open space for the layup and finish.
In these units, all players are crucial for their ability to interchange roles. Each one can serve as a screener or spacer, depending on the matchup the Lakers seek to exploit.
Highlighted below is an example of how Goodwin flourished as a spacer. Reaves runs a ball screen with Rui Hachimura at the top of the wing and hits the skip pass over to Goodwin in the corner. This starts the “blender” that head coach J.J. Redick refers to, which is the spinning of a rotating defense. He drives and hits one of his patented floaters off an attack of a closeout.
Per the NBA’s tracking data, Goodwin shot 48.6% on these floater-type shots outside the restricted area, ranking second on the team.
Goodwin is listed at 6’6” with a 6’10” wingspan. He combines these attributes with great hands and timing, excelling not only on defense but on the offensive glass. Watch below as he comes up with the offensive board on the air ball from Gabe Vincent, leading to an assist to LeBron in the corner for the three.
Even as a guard, Goodwin placed fourth in offensive rebounds per game on the team.
A bonus and the most significant question mark was the shooting, where he capitalized on 41.7% of his catch-and-shoot 3-pointers. A substantial detail in assessing his candidacy to return to the team.
Goodwin watched as his playing time significantly decreased in the playoffs, totaling just 32 minutes. Completely phased out of the rotation, he did not enter the final game of the series.
Whether that decision was correct is still unclear, but canvassing the league, it’s no doubt this archetype of physical guards with two-way potential on cheap contracts is one of high value, and Goodwin showed he at least deserves the chance at earning a spot next season.