Suns Claim Ex-Lakers Guard After Release Caused by Marcus Smart Signing

Originally posted on Athlon Sports
By Nathaniel Holloway | Last updated Jul 23, 2025 6:46 PM ET

The Phoenix Suns have made multiple moves already this offseason as they are trying to retool their roster around Devin Booker after breaking up their big three of him, Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal.

Of course, the Suns are coming off a season in which they missed the playoffs after finishing 11th in the Western Conference and they felt that it was time for a change as they traded Durant to the Houston Rockets and bought out Beal’s contract.

With their new core of Booker, Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, Mark Williams and others leading the way next season, the Suns are clearly trying to turn their franchise around and they made another move on Wednesday.

According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Suns claimed former Los Angeles Lakers guard Jordan Goodwin off waivers on Wednesday.

The Phoenix Suns have claimed former Lakers guard Jordan Goodwin off free agency waivers, sources tell ESPN. Goodwin, waived by the Lakers to create roster space for Marcus Smart, is a gritty, upside pickup for the Suns backcourt. pic.twitter.com/SIMQXztpNi
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 23, 2025

This comes after the Lakers released Goodwin to sign Marcus Smart over the weekend after his contract was bought out by the Washington Wizards.

For the Suns, this is an interesting signing as they add a 26-year-old guard to their roster who could see a larger role for them off the bench next season.

Last season, Goodwin averaged 5.6 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.0 steals per game while shooting 43.8% from the field and 38.2% from three in a limited role off the Lakers’ bench.

The 26-year-old guard is a solid scorer and playmaker who has also improved defensively over the last few seasons who should be a major boost to Phoenix’s bench at a cheap price.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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