The Phoenix Suns were the first team eliminated from postseason contention this year, and all attentions now turn to how they will try and improve their roster for next season.
Center Mark Williams would appear to be the priority, although the Suns have backed themselves into an unenviable corner with what they should do with the 24-year-old next.
Suns must ensure Jordan Goodwin is brought back to The Valley
Flying under the radar is backup to the backup point guard Jordan Goodwin, a player who has already played for the franchise on two different occasions.
With Collin Gillespie expected to be brought back as well and the need for a high level floor general to make life easier for Devin Booker and Jalen Green, Goodwin feels like the odd man out.
Only the Suns should know from letting him leave once before what a bad idea that would be. The former Los Angeles Laker the perfect eater of regular season minutes who can fill several positions of need for Phoenix.
It seemed like a cruel joke that the #Suns effectively lost the game to the Lakers last night on a hustle play from a guy in Jordan Goodwin they simply got rid of (✍🏻 @ValleyoftheSuns)https://t.co/7ThUxhg6dh
— Luke Duffy (@LucaLockheart) March 17, 2025
The fact he was unable to go for much of the series versus the Oklahoma City Thunder was a shame, because he possesses a bigger than average frame for a guard who is capable of keeping some bigger players in front of him.
There are only two problems that could lead to Goodwin not returning, but thankfully there are solutions to both. Money is the big one, although it remains to be seen which other team would give Goodwin anything more than the minimum to sign with them.
Should that happen then the Suns would have to say goodbye, but there are many, many bigger free agency dominos that have to be taken care of first this summer. Goodwin would be wise to get what he can from the Suns and figure it out later.
His role in The Valley is the other issue, Gillespie appears to be the guy they want and Goodwin could find himself overqualified for whatever the Suns have in mind for him. A grouping of Booker, Green, Gillespie and Goodwin sounds nice, but it has its flaws defensively.
To say Goodwin is at worst the second best defender of that foursome won’t cut it if the Suns want to make it back to the playoffs again next season.
But he is a player head coach Jordan Ott trusts, and alongside Jamaree Bouyea (whose future becomes less clear) they played their part in helping the Suns have the successful season that they did. Bringing him back should be a sneaky high priority for this front office.
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