The Phoenix Suns’ starting five for next season already looks set, but if there is one surprise player who could force his way into that group, it is Jordan Goodwin.
Still just 27-years-old, Goodwin currently sits behind Collin Gillespie on the point guard depth chart, but he is also the kind of backcourt mate for Devin Booker that head coach Jordan Ott appears to value. The franchise knows what they have in the former Washington Wizard, which is why they made bringing him back a priority this offseason.
Need for ball-handler will become clear as season progresses
While Gillespie was given more money to return and has the higher ceiling, he is not close to the defender Goodwin is despite earning the nickname “Villain Jr.” from Dillon Brooks last time out. Unfortunately for Gillespie, he has also proven that he can excel coming off the bench, and a sixth-man role in The Valley could work best for all involved.
The possibility of Goodwin joining the starting group would raise serious questions about Jalen Green, as there is no way a former second overall pick who was traded for Kevin Durant a year ago should be getting beat out of a starting berth by a backup point guard. Yet, Goodwin is exactly that, a point guard, whereas the overlap between what Booker and Green do on the court has already become apparent.
The Suns will eventually realize that they cannot keep putting the ball-handling duties on their superstar, and when that eventually happens, Goodwin could shock everybody by being the player called upon to start.
Goodwin’s defensive play is the X-factor in stealing this spot
The Suns were a top-10 team defensively last season (112.9), and with Goodwin on the court, that number was even smaller at 110.1. A figure that would have put them third in the entire league if stretched across the entire season.
That elite number is not Goodwin’s alone, given he played in some defensive-minded lineups and had particular success alongside Jamaree Bouyea, but he played his part.
He is capable of guarding bigger scorers and, alongside Brooks, is the best perimeter defender on this roster. Goodwin can also set up his teammates and is a credible 3-point shooter. He is not in the same league offensively as Green, but when the Suns realize they need better balance and a true floor general with their starting group, Goodwin is the guy who will surprise us all by answering the call.
Don’t say you weren’t warned.
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