Only Six Games Left! Why Haven’t the Lakers Converted Goodwin’s Contract Yet?

Goodwin Shines Again, but His Minutes Are Running Out

The Los Angeles Lakers secured a 125-109 victory over the San Antonio Spurs, despite missing LeBron James and Rui Hachimura. Once again, the team’s backcourt duo of Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves took control of the game:

• Luka Dončić: 21 points, 9 rebounds, 14 assists, 3 steals, +19

  

• Austin Reaves: 30 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals, +18

  

At this point, it’s fair to say that this backcourt pairing is playing at an elite level. Dončić remains a superstar whenever healthy, and Reaves has been on an absolute tear, averaging 30.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 7.0 assists over his last four games.

But beyond the star performances, there was another key contributor: Jordan Goodwin.

Goodwin stepped up as a starter, delivering one of his best performances yet:

• 33 minutes

• 15 points (6/9 FG, 3/6 3PT)

• 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals, 1 block

• +9 plus/minus

For those who follow the Lakers closely, Goodwin’s impact is nothing new.

• Against the Nets: Despite a Lakers loss, Goodwin had 17 points (6/8 FG, 5/6 3PT) and 8 rebounds.

• Against the Jazz (his second game with the team): 17 points (8/11 FG), 8 rebounds, 2 steals.

Since joining the Lakers, Goodwin has been consistently productive. Through 14 games, he is averaging:

• 21.0 MPG

• 7.1 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 1.2 APG

• 51.3% FG, 44.7% 3PT, 62.4% true shooting

At first glance, these stats might not stand out, but his efficiency is elite.

More importantly, Goodwin plays with relentless energy.

• 1.6 offensive rebounds per game (2nd on the team behind Jarred Vanderbilt)

• 1.1 steals and 0.5 blocks per game (as a 6’3” guard!)

• A defensive mentality that allows him to guard bigger wings and even some forwards

Hall of Famer James Worthy summed it up best:

"Goodwin is a low-mistake player. He doesn’t take bad shots, he plays with toughness, and he’s a great defender. He doesn’t need help guarding Booker one-on-one."

It’s clear that Goodwin has earned his place in the rotation.

So why hasn’t his contract been converted yet?

The Contract Problem: Goodwin Is Running Out of Games

Despite his strong play, Goodwin is still on a two-way contract, which limits him to only 50 regular-season games. Right now, he has six games left.

Even worse? Two-way players aren’t eligible for the playoffs.

If the Lakers want Goodwin available for the postseason, they need to upgrade his contract to a standard deal.

But there’s one big issue: They don’t have any open roster spots.

After signing Alex Len, the Lakers’ final full-time roster spot was filled. That means if they want to keep Goodwin for the playoffs, someone else has to be cut.

Who Gets Cut? The Two Most Likely Candidates

Right now, there are two obvious choices:

1. Alex Len

2. Cam Reddish

Option 1: Waiving Alex Len

Len has been a complete disaster since joining the Lakers.

• 7 games played

• 1.4 PPG, 1.9 RPG

• 50.0% FG (but almost no shot attempts)

Worse than the stats? The eye test.

• His foot speed is painfully slow.

• He struggles to finish around the rim (just 33.3% at the basket).

• He offers no rim protection and is a major liability on defense.

When Len is on the court, the Lakers’ defensive rating skyrockets to 126.3, and they are outscored by 14.2 points per 100 possessions.

Meanwhile, when Len is off the court, the Lakers allow just 108.1 points per 100 possessions and outscore opponents by 5.6 points per 100 possessions.

The numbers say it all: Len is unplayable.

So why keep him?

Because he’s a center.

If Jaxson Hayes or Colin Castleton gets hurt, Len is the only other big on the roster. Even though he’s been awful, having a 7-footer available in case of emergency might be enough for the Lakers to keep him.

Option 2: Waiving Cam Reddish

Reddish started the season in the Lakers’ rotation, but after January, he completely fell out of favor.

• Since February: Reddish has played in just one game.

• Why? Because Goodwin essentially took his spot in the rotation.

With Hachimura, Vanderbilt, and Finney-Smith ahead of him, Reddish is now the backup to the backups. His path to minutes is almost nonexistent, unless there’s a major injury crisis on the wing.

If the Lakers need to cut someone, Reddish seems like the more expendable option.

That’s why many believe his days in L.A. are numbered.

The Clock Is Ticking—The Lakers Must Decide Soon

The Lakers have been delaying their decision, likely waiting to see if:

• Any injuries occur that might impact their choice

• Len or Reddish suddenly show improvement

• Goodwin continues to prove he’s worth a roster spot

But at this point, the answer seems obvious.

Goodwin has earned his spot.

Lakers head coach JJ Redick has praised him multiple times, even stating that if Goodwin hadn’t been dealing with a hamstring injury earlier in the season, the team would have signed him to a two-way contract even sooner.

Lakers insider Trevor Lane put it bluntly:

"Unless there’s an injury, there’s no reason not to convert Goodwin’s contract before the playoffs."

So really, the only question left is:

When will they make the move?

Goodwin’s Future: From NBA Fringe to Key Playoff Piece?

For the last few years, Goodwin has been bouncing around the NBA, struggling to find a stable role.

Now, he might have finally found a home in Los Angeles.

If the Lakers convert his deal, and if Goodwin continues to perform in the playoffs, then next season, he’ll be far more valuable than a two-way contract.

Goodwin’s days of fighting for NBA survival might finally be over.

But first, the Lakers need to make the call.