Jordan Goodwin

Lakers Notes: Hayes, Cap, Goodwin, Possible Trade Targets

Lakers center Jaxson Hayes has been diagnosed with a left ankle sprain, the team announced today. As Dave McMenamin of ESPN details, the injury occurred during Tuesday’s practice and will force Hayes to miss at least a few games. The club’s plan is to reevaluate the big man’s ankle in one-to-two weeks.

Hayes has played a regular role in the Lakers’ rotation this fall and is coming off his best game of the season. He had 12 points, six rebounds, and a block in 21 minutes of action during Sunday’s win over Toronto, with the Lakers outscoring the Raptors by 21 points during his time on the floor.

The Lakers are also missing center Christian Wood, who will be out until at least mid-December, so their options in the middle will be limited until Hayes is ready to return.

Anthony Davis figures to handle the majority of the minutes at the five, with two-way center Christian Koloko also in the mix. Small-ball lineups that deploy a forward like LeBron James or Rui Hachimura as the de facto center will also be an option for head coach J.J. Redick.

Here’s more on the Lakers:

  • The Lakers are now operating just $30K below the second tax apron rather than $45K below it, since they took on a $15K cap charge for Jordan Goodwin, who was injured prior to the season while on an Exhibit 9 contract with the team, tweets ESPN’s Bobby Marks. The second apron isn’t technically a hard cap for the Lakers at this point, but if they aggregate salaries in a trade this season, it would become one.
  • The Lakers consider it a priority to add frontcourt depth, sources tell ESPN’s Dave McMenamin (Insider link). However, the front office has “been met with more closed doors” than usual while scouring the trade market, according to McMenamin. It’s unclear whether that’s a function of the cap, tax, and apron restrictions facing teams around the league, a reflection of the limited appeal of the Lakers’ trade chips, or a combination of both.
  • During a discussion about possible Lakers trade targets on the latest episode of the Hoop Collective podcast (YouTube link), McMenamin said Wizards center Jonas Valanciunas is “certainly a name that’s legitimately still on the Lakers’ radar.” McMenamin also mentioned Robert Williams of the Trail Blazers and Nic Claxton of the Nets as possible targets for L.A., though that sounded more like speculation than hard reporting. “Because they won in 2020 with the Dwight Howard and JaVale McGee combo next to Anthony Davis,” McMenamin explained, “Anthony Davis never let go of that idea that, ‘That’s my best chance to win with LeBron, to have that extra layer defensively,’ and quite frankly, help him get through the slog of the regular season in terms of the beating that he’ll take on the block battling these guys.”
  • In case you missed it, the Lakers plan to have rookie guard Bronny James suit up for the South Bay Lakers only during home games, rather than having him travel on the road with the G League affiliate. Shams Charania reported those plans last week, but they’ve reemerged as a popular topic of discussion today after Brian Windhorst criticized the decision on the latest episode of the Hoop Collective podcast (YouTube link).

Wolves’ Omoruyi, Lakers’ Goodwin Among Latest Players Waived

The Timberwolves have waived forward Eugene Omoruyi, the team announced today (via Twitter). Omoruyi had been in training camp with Minnesota on a non-guaranteed Exhibit 10 contract.

While it initially looked like there might be a path for Omoruyi to compete for a roster spot, that became a more uphill battle following the Karl-Anthony Towns trade, which added two extra players on guaranteed contracts to Minnesota’s roster. The team now has 15 players with fully guaranteed salaries, plus PJ Dozier on a partially guaranteed deal, leaving no room for Omoruyi, who only got into one preseason game.

Omoruyi, 27, has played for the Mavericks, Thunder, Pistons, and Wizards since making his NBA debut in the fall of 2021. The 6’7″ forward made a career-high 43 appearances for Washington last season, averaging 4.8 PPG, 2.0 RPG, and 0.8 APG in 9.1 MPG. His contract with the Wizards covered the 2024/25 season, but his salary was non-guaranteed and Washington opted to waive him in August.

Since Omoruyi had an Exhibit 10 clause in his contract, he’d be able to earn a $77.5K bonus if he ends up spending at least 60 days with the Iowa Wolves, Minnesota’s G League affiliate. He also still has one year of two-way eligibility remaining, so he could get a look from teams with an open two-way slot.

Here are a few more of the latest minor moves from around the NBA:

  • The Lakers announced on Friday that they have waived guard Jordan Goodwin and center Kylor Kelley and signed Grayson Murphy to an Exhibit 10 deal (Twitter link via Dave McMenamin of ESPN). All three players will likely be headed to the South Bay Lakers to open 2024/25.
  • The Cavaliers have placed Darius Brown II and Elijah Hughes on waivers, according to NBA.com’s official transaction log. Both players will likely report to the Cleveland Charge, the Cavs’ G League affiliate, where their Exhibit 10 contracts will allow them to earn bonuses worth up to $77.5K apiece. Brown is eligible to be designated as an “affiliate player,” while Hughes’ returning rights were acquired by the Charge earlier this month.
  • About 24 hours after signing him to an Exhibit 10 contract, the Trail Blazers have waived center Nick Muszynski, per NBA.com. His next stop figures to be with the Rip City Remix, Portland’s NBAGL team.
  • The Kings have signed free agent forward Shareef O’Neal to a training camp deal and plan to waive him on Saturday, according to Jake Gadon of CBS Sacramento (Twitter link). O’Neal, the son of Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal, will head to the Stockton Kings and will be eligible for a bonus worth up to $77.5K if he spends at least 60 days with Stockton.

Rory Maher contributed to this post.

Lakers Sign Jordan Goodwin To Camp Deal

SEPTEMBER 6: The Lakers have officially signed Goodwin, the team announced in a press release. After signing and waiving Alex Fudge, the club is now back to a full 21-man offseason roster.


SEPTEMBER 3: Free agent guard Jordan Goodwin has agreed to sign with the Lakers, according to veteran NBA reporter Chris Haynes (Twitter link).

Haynes describes it as a “camp deal” for Goodwin, which suggests the contract will be non-guaranteed and worth the veteran’s minimum. It will likely include Exhibit 9 language and possibly Exhibit 10 language too, though that hasn’t been confirmed.

Goodwin, who will turn 26 in October, spent the first half of the 2023/24 season with the Suns before being sent to Brooklyn as part of the three-team trade that landed Royce O’Neale in Phoenix. After being waived by the Nets, the former Saint Louis standout inked a 10-day contract and then a two-way deal with the Grizzlies, finishing the season in Memphis.

In total, Goodwin appeared in 57 games for the Suns and Grizzlies, averaging 6.5 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 2.7 assists in 18.5 minutes per contest. His shooting efficiency dropped off significantly, however, as he made just 36.9% of his field goal attempts, including 29.8% of his three-pointers.

Goodwin previously appeared in 64 games for the Wizards from 2021-23, averaging 6.4 PPG, 3.2 RPG, and 2.6 APG in 17.4 MPG, with a shooting line of .444/.319/.768.

The Lakers have a full 15-man standard roster, with all three of their two-way slots filled, so the club would need to trade or waive one of those players in order to create a path for Goodwin to earn a regular season roster spot. For what it’s worth, if he signs an Exhibit 10 contract, Goodwin would be eligible to be converted to a two-way deal prior to opening night.

Contract Details: Bitim, Evbuomwan, Funk, Spencer, Hagans, Goodwin

Onuralp Bitim‘s new standard contract with the Bulls covers two seasons beyond this one, according to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype (Twitter link). The three-year deal is guaranteed for the rest of this season but is non-guaranteed in years two and three, Scotto notes.

The Bulls used $500K of their mid-level exception to give Bitim a rest-of-season salary worth more than the rookie minimum, Hoops Rumors has learned. And while the Turkish wing isn’t owed any guaranteed money beyond this season, he can earn a partial guarantee worth $350K if he’s still under contract by the start of the 2024/25 regular season.

Here are more details on a few contracts recently signed around the NBA:

  • Like fellow signee Buddy Boeheim, Tosan Evbuomwan agreed to a two-year two-way contract with the Pistons, tweets Keith Smith of Spotrac. Both players received partial guarantees for 2024/25, but those guarantees are very modest (projected to be worth approximately $78K) and won’t count against the cap, so they don’t necessarily assure either player of starting next season on Detroit’s 18-man roster.
  • Andrew Funk‘s two-way contract with the Bulls and Pat Spencer‘s two-way deal with the Warriors each run through the 2024/25 season as well, according to Smith and Scotto (Twitter links).
  • Conversely, the two-way contracts that Ashton Hagans signed with the Trail Blazers and Jordan Goodwin signed with the Grizzlies are both just rest-of-season deals, Hoops Rumors has learned. As a result, Hagans and Goodwin will be eligible for restricted free agency this summer.

Grizzlies Release Gilyard, Sign Goodwin To Two-Way Deal

The Grizzlies have released Jacob Gilyard and filled his two-way spot by signing Jordan Goodwin, the team announced in a press release (via Twitter).

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski was first to report the moves (Twitter link), noting that Gilyard made a “positive impression” on Memphis despite being waived. He initially signed a two-way deal with the Grizzlies last April, making one appearance as a rookie in 2022/23.

Players on two-way contracts can only be active for 50 NBA games in a season. As we relayed a few days ago, Gilyard — a 5’9″ point guard who went undrafted in 2022 out of Richmond — was nearly at the 50-game limit, and the Grizzlies have a full 15-man standard roster.

Instead of converting him to a standard deal and having to waive someone on a guaranteed contract, they decided to cut Gilyard, who averaged 4.7 points and 3.5 assists while shooting 42.5% from deep in 37 games this season (17.7 minutes). He’ll still receive his full two-way salary, but two-way deals don’t count against the salary cap, whereas standard deals do.

Gilyard will become an unrestricted free agent on Monday if he clears waivers.

Memphis initially signed Goodwin to a 10-day hardship contract before the All-Star break. That deal expired after last night’s loss to the Clippers, but the Grizzlies will keep him around on a two-way contract.

A third-year guard out of Saint Louis, Goodwin has previously played for the Wizards and Suns. He has averaged 10.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.5 steals in two appearances thus far with Memphis (26.5 minutes).

The Grizzlies have a full 18-man roster, with all three two-way slots filled.

Grizzlies Sign Jordan Goodwin To 10-Day Contract

FEBRUARY 13: The Grizzlies have officially signed Goodwin to his 10-day contract, the team announced today in a press release (Twitter link).

It will technically be an 11-day deal, since 10-day contracts are required to cover a minimum of three games. Memphis plays twice more before the All-Star break, then resumes play on February 23 vs. the Clippers.


FEBRUARY 12: The Grizzlies intend to sign Jordan Goodwin to a 10-day contract, sources tell ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski (Twitter link).

Goodwin played four college seasons at Saint Louis before going undrafted in 2021. He’s in his third NBA season, having previously played for the Wizards and Suns.

A 25-year-old guard who’s known as a strong rebounder and defender, Goodwin was sent from Phoenix to Brooklyn ahead of last week’s trade deadline in the deal that saw Royce O’Neale land with the Suns. Goodwin was subsequently released by the Nets, and after clearing waivers, he became an unrestricted free agent.

Goodwin appeared in 40 games with Phoenix this season, averaging 5.0 PPG, 2.9 RPG and 2.0 APG in 14.0 MPG. He struggled with scoring efficiency, posting a lackluster .389/.288/.862 shooting line.

As our tracker shows, Memphis currently has a full 15-man standard roster. However, the Grizzlies have been decimated by injuries in 2023/24 — as with several other players they’ve signed to 10-day contracts, Goodwin’s deal will almost certainly come via the hardship exception.

According to Wojnarowski, Goodwin is expected to join Memphis “as soon as Tuesday,” which means his Grizzlies debut could come on Wednesday vs. Houston.

Nets Waive Jordan Goodwin

FEBRUARY 9: The Nets have officially waived Goodwin, per Brian Lewis of The New York Post (Twitter link).


FEBRUARY 8: The Nets are waiving guard Jordan Goodwin after acquiring him in the three-team trade that sent Royce O’Neale to Phoenix, according to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype (Twitter link).

After waiving Goodwin, the Nets will have 14 players on standard contracts and two players on two-way deals, giving them two open roster spots in total (one standard, one two-way).

The 25-year-old point guard played sparingly for the Suns after arriving in the Bradley Beal trade, averaging 5.0 points, 2.9 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 14.0 minutes and 40 games. Last season with the Wizards, he averaged 6.6 points and 2.7 assists in 62 games (seven starts).

Goodwin was on a minimum contract with a partially guaranteed team option for next season. The Nets will be on the book for his hit this season ($1.93MM). He’ll be eligible to sign with any team as a free agent other than the Suns.

Suns Acquire Royce O’Neale In Three-Way Deal

7:22pm: The trade is official, according to a press release from the Grizzlies, who classified the draft asset they’re getting from the Suns as a “future first-round pick swap.”

Memphis will be able to swap its own 2026 first-round pick for the least favorable of the Suns’, Wizards’, and Magic’s first-rounders that year, tweets Chris Herrington of The Daily Memphian.

As previously reported, Brooklyn waived Thaddeus Young and Memphis cut Victor Oladipo to make room on their respective rosters for the incoming players.


4:58pm: The Suns hung onto Boston’s 2028 second-round pick, tweets Gambadoro, which means the three future second-rounders they’re sending Brooklyn are as follows:

  • Either the Pistons’, Bucks,’ or Magic’s 2026 second-round pick (whichever is least favorable).
  • The Grizzlies’ 2028 second-round pick.
  • The Grizzlies’ 2029 second-round pick.

12:18pm: The Nets are finalized a trade to send forward Royce O’Neale to the Suns for matching salaries and three second-round picks, Shams Charania of The Athletic tweets.

Phoenix is also acquiring forward David Roddy from the Grizzlies in exchange for a pick swap, Charania adds. (Twitter link).

The Suns are sending out Keita Bates-Diop, Yuta Watanabe, Jordan Goodwin and Chimezie Metu, John Gambadoro of 98.7 FM Phoenix tweets. They are all on minimum salary deals.

Watanabe and Metu will head to the Grizzlies, while Brooklyn will acquire Bates-Diop and Goodwin, per Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic (Twitter link).

O’Neale is in the final year of a four-year, $36MM contract and could enter unrestricted free agency this summer with full Bird rights. He’s making $9.5MM this season.

He’ll be extension eligible with the Suns for a maximum of two-years and $20.5MM, Yossi Gozlan of Hoops Hype tweets.

Roddy is making $2.72MM this season and already had $4.83MM option for next season picked up by Memphis. Phoenix can use the $4,975,371 traded player exception it generated in the Dario Saric trade with Oklahoma City last season to absorb Roddy’s salary. That exception expires on Friday.

The Suns were considered the top suitor for the Hornets’ Miles Bridges. However, Bridges reportedly told Charlotte’s front office he wouldn’t approve any trade. Phoenix pivoted to O’Neale, who will immediately jump into its rotation.

O’Neale gives Phoenix a playoff-tested, defensive-minded veteran. He has been coming off the bench most of this season but could slot into Phoenix’s star-laden lineup if the Suns want to use Grayson Allen in a sixth-man role.

O’Neale is averaging 7.4 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 24.5 minutes per game this season. He’s a career 38.1% 3-point shooter and should get plenty of open looks playing with Phoenix’s stars.

Phoenix will see its luxury tax bill rise by $13.5MM, Gozlan tweets. Overall, the Suns will have a payroll and luxury tax penalty adding up to more than $254.5MM this season, Gozlan notes in another tweet.

By swapping out four players for a pair, Phoenix will also have to add another player to reach the league minimum or 14. That will also increase their tax bill.

Watanabe and Bates-Diop are signed through next year. Metu has an expiring contract and Goodwin’s contract includes a team option for next season.

Suns Notes: Beal, Durant, Okogie, Gordon, Rotation

The Suns have won three straight entering their contest against Portland on Monday night. Bradley Beal has played the last two games after recovering from an ankle injury and his presence has been a “game-changer,” according to Devin Booker, Jack Thompson of The Associated Press relays.

Beal had seven assists against Charlotte in his return and 25 points in a five-point victory over Orlando.

“It’s a game-changer, being at full strength,” Booker said. “The offense was moving, the ball was hopping around and we were getting the best available shot.”

We have more on the Suns:

  • Kevin Durant had a team-high 31 points in 39 minutes against the Magic. He’ll sit out the second game of the back-to-back with the Suns listing right hamstring soreness as the reason. Eric Gordon (right calf soreness) is questionable, Gerald Bourguet of PHNX Sports tweets.
  • Josh Okogie has only scored one point in three games since returning from an ankle injury but coach Frank Vogel is glad to have the defensive specialist at his disposal, Duane Rankin of the Arizona Republic tweets. “He’s an important part of what we do with his ability to guard on the perimeter,” Vogel said. “We’ll measure it game to game in terms of what his nights look like. Some nights are going to be bigger than others based on the matchup.”
  • Beyond sixth man Gordon, the second unit remains in flux, Rankin notes. Even Okogie’s spot is not guaranteed, due to subpar perimeter shooting. Nassir Little or Jordan Goodwin could emerge as alternatives.

Suns Notes: Beal, Booker, Bates-Diop, Goodwin

The Suns didn’t consider exceeding Bradley Beal‘s minutes restriction when Wednesday’s game at Chicago went into overtime, writes Jamal Collier of ESPN. Beal was making his season debut after missing the team’s first seven games with a back injury, so there was no chance he was going to play more than 24 minutes, even with the game in doubt.

“I can be hard-headed and go play 30 minutes when I know I’m not supposed to,” Beal said. “But how will I feel after that? Probably not the greatest. So that’s why I lean on our staff and our doctors to be the voice for me. Because I’ll be hard-headed and go out there and play.”

Beal posted 13 points, four rebounds and four assists in his first regular season contest since being acquired from Washington in an offseason trade. Even on a subpar shooting night that saw him go 3-of-12 from the field, he showed the benefits he can provide for Phoenix’s offense.

“Just somebody else the defense is scared of,” Kevin Durant said. “Somebody who can score at all three levels. Brad going downhill is a problem. So, as much as we can get him going downhill and also just setting him up in iso so he can beat his man will be great for us. Tonight, he just got his feet wet. He’s on a restriction minute-wise, but as he comes off of that he’s going to be more and more confident. We’ve just got to give him the ball more.”

There’s more on the Suns:

  • Devin Booker worked out before Wednesday’s game, but there’s no indication of when he might play again, tweets Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic. A report on Wednesday suggested that Booker may be able return from his right calf strain as soon as Friday, but coach Frank Vogel said he’s “making progress, but no firm timetable.”
  • Keita Bates-Diop‘s overtime heroics showed why Vogel has been trusting him as a starter for the past three games, Rankin adds in a full story. The 27-year-old forward, who was added in free agency this summer, sparked the Suns’ late comeback by drilling a three-pointer with 1:06 left in overtime to cut the Bulls’ lead to one point. He also forced DeMar DeRozan to take a difficult shot on Chicago’s final possession.
  • Jordan Goodwin wore a mask in Wednesday’s game after suffering a jaw contusion Sunday in Detroit, Rankin tweets.