The Phoenix Suns have only one lingering injury issue as the regular season approaches: Miles Bridges' ankle tweak against the Chicago Bulls. Head Coach Jordan Ott is rightly not rushing him back into action, and if he's not ready to face the Portland Trail Blazers when the season begins, Jordan Goodwin should start in his place.
Goodwin ensures defense is strong and does not disrupt balance
The 27-year-old point guard has been one of the standout performers during preseason for the Suns, and having him replace Bridges could do wonders for the team defensively. Bridges is the only new face who will be joining their presumed starting five from last season. So replacing him with Goodwin in the short term would not disrupt the chemistry, as he would be returning to the bench and to a role he is familiar with once Bridges is healthy.
Goodwin is a downgrade offensively, but given his body type, he could slot in at the three and have Dillon Brooks move to the four in place of Bridges. This would give the Suns the ability to swap assignments across the frontcourt, while Brooks never needs any more inspiration to get into it with opponents.
This would also allow the backcourt of Devin Booker and Jalen Green to get some much-needed reps together, and if anything, it could mask the defensive fragilities of Green even more thanks to the introduction of Goodwin. He would become an over-qualified tertiary creator, while the 37.1 percent he shot from deep on over four attempts last season means his defender has to respect him from beyond the arc.
In theory, bigger opponents would be too much for the tandem of Goodwin and Brooks, but that is where center Khaman Maluach enters the equation. Not only could he form a fearsome pairing with Goodwin inside, but his ability to spread the court would force defenders out of the paint and even make Booker's life easier when trying to get open looks.
Goodwin deserves opportunity to start for short period
This situation is the reason why the franchise brought Goodwin back on a new deal during the offseason. The temptation to put Luke Kennard and his elite 3-point shooting surely exists for Coach Ott, but defensively, he is nowhere near the level of Goodwin. He also is not as good a playmaker.
Collin Gillespie may also be worth considering, and the Suns have had some success with a three-guard lineup in preseason play, but he does not have the body type to take on smaller forwards and wing threats. Goodwin ticks all of those boxes and has to be in consideration if Bridges can't go on opening night.
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