According to reports, the Los Angeles Lakers are converting guard Jordan Goodwin`s two-way contract into a regular NBA contract. To make space on the roster, they are releasing forward Cam Reddish. This move is crucial because players on two-way contracts are not allowed to play in the postseason. Now with a standard contract, Goodwin will be able to participate in the playoffs for the Lakers this year.
The Lakers have a history of successfully developing promising players who were not initially high-profile, with Alex Caruso and Austin Reaves being prominent examples. Goodwin is the latest player identified by their scouting department. After going undrafted in 2021, Goodwin played for the Wizards, Suns, and Grizzlies in his first three seasons. He initially signed a G-League contract with the Lakers in October and then received a two-way contract with the Lakers` NBA team in February.
Goodwin has capitalized on this opportunity. In 19 games, he has averaged 20.5 minutes and has become an important player off the bench, contributing energy and strong defense. While his three-point shooting was previously considered a weakness, he has been shooting over 41% from beyond the arc as a Laker, although this is based on a limited number of attempts.
It`s likely that the Lakers have been planning to offer Goodwin a standard contract for some time, but they faced limitations due to the NBA`s salary cap rules. Having limited space under the salary cap, the Lakers needed to manage their finances carefully. Minimum salary contracts are calculated proportionally to the remaining season, so by waiting, the Lakers could sign Goodwin for a contract that has a smaller impact on their cap space. This might provide them with the flexibility to potentially convert another of their two-way players, either Trey Jemison or Christian Koloko, to a standard contract before the end of the regular season.
