The Los Angeles Lakers have a void in the rotation that they've been desperately trying to fill. The arrival of superstar Luka Doncic eases the burden, but it doesn't quite rectify what's become a significant issue over the past two seasons.
Doncic and Austin Reaves give the Lakers enough offensive firepower to offset a degree of the concerns, but the glaring need for defense in the backcourt remains.
Los Angeles was hoping that Gabe Vincent could address that pressing issue when they signed him to a three-year, $33 million contract in 2023. Vincent missed 71 games in 2023-24, however, and has thus understandably struggled to provide consistent two-way value in 2024-25.
According to Matthew Valento of Lakers Nation, the Lakers' most recent signing, Jordan Goodwin, believes that he was added to the roster to help address the absence of consistency.
“I think that was kind of known in training camp, that’s what they brought me in for,” Goodwin said. “I’m a defender. When I was out there, they didn’t have to tell me. I was going for the matchups myself. That’s the type of guy I am.”
Goodwin continued, acknowledging his offensive versatility as a strength that can provide balance at any number of positions.
“As far as my game, I just lay my head on defense first,” he said. “On offense, I can play 1-3, sometimes the 4 in pick-and-rolls. I feel like I’ve gotten better with my shot this year, 3-point shot. Just somebody you can put on the court anywhere on both sides of the ball. Not a liability on offense, definitely not a liability on defense.”
Goodwin is on a two-way contract and could be labeled as a player with an undetermined future, but the upside of his presence is as clear in February as it was at training camp.
Jordan Goodwin can provide the two-way value Lakers need in backcourt
Goodwin, 26, has played parts of four seasons in the NBA. That includes the 2023-24 campaign, during which time he appeared in a combined 57 games with the Memphis Grizzlies and Phoenix Suns, establishing himself as a quality defender.
During the 17 games that he played with the Grizzlies, Goodwin produced averages of 10.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.8 offensive boards, 4.5 assists, and 1.5 steals per game.
The knock against Goodwin has been his lackluster three-point shooting, with a career mark of 31.1 percent. He claims to have worked on his outside shot, however, and the far-too-early results have reflected that.
Goodwin has buried a three-point field goal in each of his three games with the Lakers in 2024-25 and seems to thus be on the road to 3-and-D value.
If Goodwin is able to play at the level he did in Memphis and add a respectable three-point shot, Los Angeles would take a significant step forward. He could provide immense value alongside either Doncic or Reaves as a defensive guard with the ability to space the floor and crash the boards.
If Goodwin and Vincent are able to develop chemistry, then the Lakers could finally piece together the second unit they've been attempting to build.
Perhaps this is an overly optimistic take after just three games in the purple and gold. Depth has been tough to come by in 2024-25, however, and Goodwin represents a rare opportunity to find legitimate and reliable two-way value off the bench.
If Goodwin can sustain his current form, then the Lakers will take a significant step forward as a deeper and more balanced potential contender.
