First-year Phoenix Suns guard Jordan Goodwin was included in the Bradley Beal trade earlier in the off-season. A little known player by casual NBA audiences, the 6'3" guard was seen as nothing more than a throw-in piece.
The reaction Washington Wizards fan elicited when it was revealed that Goodwin was included in the trade should've been telling to onlookers that dismissed the acquisition.
Goodwin has done nothing but impress the Suns organization since arriving in Phoenix.
Coaches, management and teammates alike have almost exclusively said positive things about not only the player, but the person as well. The former Saint Louis Billiken appears to be a perfect fit on this version of the Suns.
The guard unfortunately sat out the first two games of preseason play due to hamstring tightness, but more than made up for the lost time with two impressive showings against the Portland Trail Blazers.
Goodwin has been nothing short of a menace on the defensive end, averaging four steals and a block a game, while also being a disruptor in ways that aren't always shown on the stat sheet.
Coach Frank Vogel raved about Goodwin's defensive ability: "We praise Josh Okogie for being a really good defender, but great with his hands and great how he strips it and with the passing lanes, but the early signs on Jordan is that he has a type of defensive ability to have a big body. Maybe not be the quickest guy out there but, he’s really good with his hands.”
To evoke Goodwin's name in the same sentence as Okogie, the perceived go-to POA defender in Phoenix, is a glowing endorsement of not only how hard he plays, but also how smart and aware he is.
The other side of the ball is the part Goodwin's game has been seen as an area to improve on. Goodwin flashed offensively in his time with the Wizards, but still has an inconsistent jump shot and is fairly raw for NBA standards.
That doesn't appear to be an issue thus far in preseason.
He has shot the ball well in low-volume, and while not being the best athlete in the room according to Vogel, has used his deceptively quick first-step to get to the rim and create for himself and others.
Goodwin looks primed to be the team's primary backup point guard this year, while also very well becoming a fan favorite and an unheralded key piece in bringing the Suns their first franchise title.
More must-reads: