The Phoenix Suns sure had reason to celebrate in their most recent victory, a road win over the Philadelphia 76ers, as Jalen Green finally returned to action.
He managed only 12 points in 20 minutes of action, but it was clear to all watching that his chemistry with Devin Booker is already established and that the best is yet to come.
Jordan Goodwin biggest loser in return of Green
Already we have put forward the idea that Collin Gillespie is going to be the one who suffers the most now that Green needs minutes, touches and a return to the starting lineup.
It will be Gillespie who moves to the bench when Green is ready to take on a bigger load, and that won't take long, but he's not the only player who is going to move to the fringes of the rotation.
Backup point guard Jordan Goodwin has again had a fine season in The Valley in what is his second stint with the franchise. He's the ideal defensive-minded guard to have on this roster.
Watch this defensive possession from Jordan Goodwin, what a player. pic.twitter.com/u35lDlPfPq
— Erik Ruby (@ErikRuby) January 21, 2026
Both he and Jamareer Bouyea having given head coach Jordan Ott excellent minutes, both individually and as a tandem, when called upon this season.
Perhaps Goodwin could see the writing on the wall with Green coming back, as he had 16 points in 20 minutes of play himself in that victory over the 76ers.
But if coach Ott is again going to turn to Gillespie as the spark off the bench that he was earlier this season, then it is hard to see where that leaves Goodwin.
You only need to look at the immediate impact Green made as a secondary playmaker and his ability to hit difficult shots to know that Goodwin can't compete with that.
He might raise the floor of this roster, but the arrival of Green pushes their ceiling upwards to the point the Suns can begin to think about actually winning a playoff series.
Goodwin is a great fit in coach Ott's system defensively, whereas Green will be hidden in that same setup in a way that should allow him to flourish offensively in ways Goodwin cannot.
We've seen the former Los Angeles Laker be the odd man out there last season, and prior to that the Suns saw fit to let him go as they tried to make it work around Kevin Durant. Spoiler alert, it didn't.
You would think Phoenix would have learned their lesson that cutting Goodwin is not a good idea and that he will always give them valuable minutes. Yet he could be on the outside looking in again before long.