Former Lakers Guard Thriving With New Team

Jordan Goodwin's breakout season with the Phoenix Suns leaves the Lakers questioning their decision to let him go.

Mar. 10, 2026 at 3:04pm

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Jordan Goodwin, who spent last season with the Los Angeles Lakers, has been playing exceptionally well for the Phoenix Suns this year. This may leave the Lakers regretting their decision to let Goodwin walk in the offseason.

Why it matters

Goodwin's success with the Suns highlights the Lakers' potential misstep in not retaining the young guard, who is now showcasing his talents on a different team. This raises questions about the Lakers' player evaluation and roster management decisions.

The details

Goodwin, a former Lakers player, has been a standout performer for the Phoenix Suns this season, putting up impressive numbers and making a significant impact on the team. This contrasts with his relatively limited role and playing time during his tenure with the Lakers, leading to speculation that the Lakers may have made a mistake in letting him go.

  • Goodwin spent the 2024-25 season with the Los Angeles Lakers.
  • Goodwin signed with the Phoenix Suns as a free agent in the 2025 offseason.

The players

Jordan Goodwin

A former guard for the Los Angeles Lakers who is now thriving with the Phoenix Suns.

Rob Pelinka

The vice president of basketball operations and general manager for the Los Angeles Lakers.

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What they’re saying

“We must have missed something with Jordan. He's really come into his own with the Suns, and that's tough to see.”

— Rob Pelinka, Los Angeles Lakers GM

The takeaway

This situation highlights the difficulty NBA teams face in accurately evaluating and retaining young talent, as well as the importance of providing players with the right opportunities to develop and showcase their skills.