The Strongest Two-Way Player! Goodwin's Last Two Games, Who Should the Lakers Cut?

As the Los Angeles Lakers approach the final stretch of the regular season, one of the most intriguing narratives unfolding is the rise of Matt Ryan Goodwin, a player who has quietly become one of the team’s most reliable and efficient two-way contributors. Since signing a two-way contract with the Lakers at the beginning of February, Goodwin has made an immediate impact, showcasing the type of versatility and skill set that every championship-contending team craves. However, as the clock runs out on his eligibility as a two-way player, the Lakers now face a tough decision: How do they keep Goodwin for the remainder of the season, especially with a roster that is already at capacity?

Over the course of 17 games with the Lakers, Goodwin has proven to be much more than a depth piece. In 12 starts, Goodwin has averaged 7.0 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in just 21.6 minutes per game. While his scoring output may not be astronomical, what stands out is his remarkable efficiency. Goodwin is shooting 47.9% from the field, 42.2% from three, and 88.9% from the free-throw line, with an impressive true shooting percentage of 59.5%. His shooting, particularly from beyond the arc, has brought new dimensions to the Lakers' offense, with 11 of 20 three-pointers coming from the corners, good for a 55% shooting clip.

But Goodwin’s contributions don’t stop at the offensive end. Defensively, he has been a key piece for the Lakers, despite being only 6'3" tall. Goodwin's hustle and intensity on defense have made a tangible difference. His 1.3 steals and 0.5 blocks per game in under 22 minutes of play are evidence of his relentless motor and his ability to impact the game without scoring. His ability to guard the perimeter has been particularly important, as he’s forced opponents to shoot just 32.7% from three, a marked improvement from their usual 36.6%. Goodwin's defensive box plus-minus sits at +1.4, ranking him just behind Jared Vanderbilt and Russell Westbrook among the Lakers’ key rotation players.

The bottom line is that Goodwin has been everything the Lakers hoped for when they took a chance on him with a two-way contract. His relentless effort, defensive prowess, and ability to knock down shots have made him an invaluable asset to this team. His role has grown so much in the past few weeks that it’s hard to imagine the Lakers playing without him. However, there’s a looming issue: Goodwin is running out of eligibility under his two-way contract.

When the Lakers signed Goodwin, they agreed to a deal that allowed him to play 19 games under his two-way contract. With 17 games already played, Goodwin has just two games left to prove himself before he’s either waived or permanently elevated to a full NBA contract. This situation has led to a burning question: Who should the Lakers cut to make room for Goodwin’s permanent spot on the roster?

The Lakers’ current roster is already packed with key contributors, so trimming the fat will not be an easy decision. Let’s break down the options the Lakers have when it comes to potentially cutting a player.

The Usual Suspects: Who Won’t Be Cut?

First off, the eight primary rotation players on the Lakers are safe. These include LeBron James, Anthony Davis, D'Angelo Russell, Jared Vanderbilt, Malik Beasley, Austin Reaves, Dennis Schröder, and Rui Hachimura. These players are the core of the Lakers' championship aspirations and are unlikely to be moved, barring any major trade scenarios.

In addition to the main rotation, the Lakers also have rookies Max Christie and Bronny James, who are likely safe from the chopping block. Despite not seeing significant minutes, the Lakers value the future potential these two players bring, so they are unlikely to be moved either.

This narrows the list of potential cuts down to five players, each of whom plays a different role on the team. Let's take a closer look at them:

The Candidates for Cutting

1. Mason Plumlee – Although his minutes have been inconsistent, Plumlee has been a decent backup big for the Lakers. With the team struggling with size, it’s unlikely they’ll cut him unless a significant roster shakeup occurs. However, his role hasn’t been essential, and the Lakers might opt to keep Goodwin’s two-way potential over Plumlee's inconsistent contributions.

2. Thomas Bryant – A veteran presence, Bryant was added to help with interior depth but has been somewhat redundant given the Lakers’ current roster makeup. While he can stretch the floor and give some scoring off the bench, his lack of defensive impact has made his role limited. Cutting him would free up space for Goodwin’s full-time contract.

3. Rui Hachimura – Hachimura has proven to be an asset as a versatile forward who can score in the post and on the perimeter. He fits well into the Lakers' long-term plans, and with his improved play, it’s unlikely that the Lakers will cut him.

4. Matt Ryan Goodwin – The best candidate to stay, Goodwin has emerged as one of the Lakers’ best two-way contributors and is likely to get promoted to a full NBA contract in the near future.

5. Carmelo Anthony – Melo’s offense, particularly from beyond the arc, has made him a reliable option off the bench, but his lack of defense has kept him from being a true two-way asset. As the Lakers try to finalize their playoff rotation, it might be difficult to justify keeping Carmelo over someone who can contribute on both ends of the court like Goodwin.

A Logical Choice: Why Cutting Ray John Rondo Makes Sense

While it might be tempting to cut Carmelo Anthony or Matt Ryan Goodwin, cutting Ray John Rondo would be the more logical choice. Rondo's defense has been solid, and he has proven himself to be an elite defensive asset. However, despite his solid defense, he hasn’t been as impactful offensively. His defensive value, combined with his playmaking ability and leadership, would be sufficient for a key role for the Lakers. There are potential still hope about playing under a different coaching team or a more essential role elsewhere