Lakers to sign Jordan Goodwin to two-way contract

The Lakers have agreed to sign guard Jordan Goodwin to a two-way contract, reports Shams Charania of ESPN (Twitter link).

All three of Los Angeles’ two-way slots are currently full, so the club will waive forward Armel Traore to create an opening for Goodwin, according to Charania (Twitter link).

Goodwin, 26, made his NBA debut in December 2021 and has appeared in 121 total regular season games since then, averaging 6.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.7 assists in 17.9 minutes per contest for the Wizards, Suns, and Grizzlies, with a shooting line of .405/.308/.758.

Known more for his defense than his offense, Goodwin was on NBA rosters for nearly all of last season, but has spent the 2024/25 campaign in the G League, playing for the South Bay Lakers. In 17 outings at the NBAGL level for L.A.’s affiliate, he has averaged 13.8 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.8 steals in 24.0 minutes per game on .423/.314/.714 shooting.

As for Traore, the 6’9″ Frenchman caught out with the Lakers last summer after going undrafted. Traore, who just turned 22 last month, has made only nine NBA appearances, but has spent time with South Bay alongside Goodwin, averaging 14.6 PPG, 9.2 RPG, and 1.8 APG in 13 games (27.1 MPG).

Assuming he officially signs his new two-way deal on Friday or Saturday, Goodwin will be eligible to appear in up to 19 NBA games with the Lakers for the rest of this season. He won’t be eligible for the postseason unless he’s promoted to the standard 15-man roster before the playoffs.