Lakers’ Costly Mistake: Jordan Goodwin Thrives After L.A. Lets Perfect Fit Walk Away

The Los Angeles Lakers needed roster flexibility this summer — but their solution ended up being one of their biggest missteps of the offseason. Instead of making a trade or restructuring elsewhere, the front office chose the easiest move available: waiving Jordan Goodwin and clearing the books for Marcus Smart’s new contract.

Months later, that decision keeps haunting them.

Goodwin, whose non-guaranteed contract made him the front office’s “simple fix,” had already carved out a rotation role for the Lakers while still on a two-way deal. He was a genuine discovery — and the team moved on from him anyway.

On Monday, Los Angeles got a close-up reminder of what they lost.

🔥 Goodwin Punishes the Lakers in Suns’ Victory

In the Suns’ 125–108 win over the Lakers, Goodwin delivered exactly the type of performance the Lakers could desperately use right now:

• 13 points
• 5–10 FG
• 3–7 from three
• 5 assists
• 3 steals

He looked every bit like the 3-and-D spark plug L.A. once had — and let walk without resistance.

🧩 The Perfect Complement the Lakers Didn’t Keep

There’s a running joke going around:

“We had Marcus Smart at home.”

Not literally — but the sentiment reflects the reality. Goodwin wasn’t a Smart replacement, but he was the perfect supporting piece beside him. Instead of exhausting alternate options to keep both guards, the Lakers chose the shortcut. Now they’re left watching their own hidden gem excel in another uniform.

And that decision continues to sting.

📈 Goodwin’s Breakout Under Jordan Ott

Goodwin has flourished in Phoenix’s new system under head coach Jordan Ott, becoming a crucial part of the Suns’ surprising rise from last year’s underachieving chaos.

This season, he’s averaging:

• 8.4 PPG
• 4.3 RPG
• 2.1 APG
• 1.5 SPG
• 44.1% FG | 36.8% 3PT
• 20.2 MPG

He embodies everything the Suns have shifted toward: toughness, discipline, defensive commitment and high-energy role execution.

Phoenix — once buried in the West last season despite star power from Durant, Booker and Beal — is now firmly competing for postseason positioning. Goodwin is one of the engines behind that resurgence.

😬 The One That Got Away

For a Lakers team searching for defensive backbone, bench reliability and consistent guard depth, Goodwin’s success is an uncomfortable reminder of what they gave up for nothing.

He didn’t walk — he was pushed out to make space.

And every time he faces the Lakers, he makes sure they feel it.