The Lakers have reportedly waived Jordan Goodwin, a move necessary to clear cap space to sign Marcus Smart.
The Lakers are going to take the simplest, if also most painful, route to cap space to sign Marcus Smart.
After waiving Shake Milton earlier on Sunday, the team will also reportedly waive Jordan Goodwin, as reported by Shams Charania of ESPN. The Lakers now have enough cap space to sign Smart to the bi-annual exception when he clears waivers on Wednesday.
The Los Angeles Lakers have waived guard Jordan Goodwin, sources tell ESPN. Goodwin emerged as a key rotation piece for JJ Redick late last season, playing 29 games and four playoff contests. Goodwin and Shake Milton were released to clear space for arrival of Marcus Smart.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 21, 2025
Goodwin was one of the success stories of last season. After signing a training camp deal before beginning the year with the South Bay Lakers in the G League, Goodwin earned his way into a two-way contract and then, eventually, a standard contract by season’s end.
In 29 games, he averaged 5.6 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game while shooting 43.8% from the field and 38.2% from the 3-point line.
He played well enough to earn minutes in the postseason and was one of the few positive contributors off the bench. Still, he only played 32 minutes in the four postseason games as Redick lost trust in his bench.
Unfortunately for him, that standard NBA contract was non-guaranteed for next season. With the Lakers hard-capped at the first apron after using their non-taxpayer mid-level exception, waiving Goodwin was the simplest solution to create the cap space necessary to sign Smart.
That being said, this still leaves the Lakers in a bit of a pickle. While they’ll be able to sign Smart, they won’t be able to sign another player at the start of the season and instead will have an open roster spot as things stand.
Lakers wouldn’t have enough apron space to sign a 15th player to start the season if they waive Shake Milton and Jordan Goodwin to sign Marcus Smart. https://t.co/nNxAIec2me
— Yossi Gozlan (@YossiGozlan) July 19, 2025
In the past, President of Basketball Operations Rob Pelinka has preferred keeping a roster spot open heading into the season. Often, that spot has been filled by a buyout candidate.
That is an option for the Lakers this season, but not out of preference but by necessity.
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