The Phoenix Suns did what they were supposed to in the early goings of this offseason, reportedly bringing back both Collin Gillespie and Jordan Goodwin on new deals.
The franchise should be rightly applauded for their quick and decisive action on this, although there is no doubt that Gillespie is viewed as the better get on a team-friendly deal at four years, $48 million.
Suns corrected previous mistake of giving Goodwin away
But in committing to Goodwin to the tune of three years, $19 million, the Suns have righted one of their worst wrongs in recent seasons when they ditched the 27-year-old in the manner in which they did to try and win it all around Devin Booker, Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal. We all know how that ended, with Goodwin instead having a miniature breakout with the Memphis Grizzlies.
That led to some time spent with the Los Angeles Lakers (who could still also do with a player of the profile of Goodwin), before making it back to The Valley. The Suns have made this deal all the sweeter for the point guard as well, the final year of his new contract Goodwin intends to sign having a player option.
By the time that decision rolls around the Suns could be a great deal closer to contention and Goodwin may be able to re-negotiate for more money. Alternatively if he has balled out he could leave for pastures new for an even greater payday, a fitting way to reward a player who the franchise never should have gotten rid of in the first place.
That is not to say Goodwin’s future in The Valley is secure. He faces stiff competition for minutes from Collin Gillespie (brought back on an even bigger deal), while these Josh Giddey rumors are interesting because of the Suns’ clear need for a starting calibre point guard.
But it is clear through his ability to run the offense for small spurts off the bench while also defending several positions on the court that Goodwin is the kind of role player the Suns desperately need if they want to be contenders. The great irony here being that he came to Phoenix as part of the Beal deal and both outlasted and outplayed his far more illustrious counterpart.
He is a Jordan Ott kind of guard, prioritizing defending at a high level to earn the bulk of his minutes and never taking a possession off. That mentality was sorely lacking from the moment Goodwin was let go by the franchise, and that won’t be happening again anytime soon. The latest move by a front office that continues to build a winner away from the spotlight.
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