Jordan Goodwin loves coaching staff’s confidence in him. He’s a big Rasheer Fleming fan, too
Jordan Goodwin is thriving in his second stint as a Phoenix Sun and his "free will" in the team's system extends to lending a hand to rookies.
Watch: Exclusive: Which NBA matchups does Dillon Brooks have circled on his calendar? | 8 mins
The Phoenix scenery isn’t new for Jordan Goodwin, who came over to the Suns for the first time prior to the 2023-24 season in the Bradley Beal package. However, his experience within the franchise’s system couldn’t be more different the second time around.
A basic stats rundown tells you that the 6-foot-3 guard has enjoyed more personal success and scheme involvement. Goodwin has averaged 8.9 points and 21.2 minutes per his 29 games (two starts) compared to just five points and 14 minutes in his previous 40 appearances before being shipped to the Brooklyn Nets.
That only begins to tell the story, as Goodwin on Tuesday told Arizona Sports’ Burns & Gambo that the enhanced on-court production has been a byproduct of the new coaching staff giving him “free will.”
“The free will that the coaching staff, (head coach Jordan Ott) gave me to go crash the glass (is) definitely different than anywhere else I was in the league,” Goodwin said. “It did make a huge impact on my decision, like why I’m here.”
Goodwin was on a two-way contract with the Los Angeles Lakers before getting waived in July. The Suns picked him up four days later.
As for the crashing of the glass, the guard has grabbed at least five rebounds in 18 of his 29 games and has been a top contributor in Phoenix’s recent jump in its ability to create second-chance opportunities.
The Suns most recently had 26 second-chance points in a win over the Washington Wizards, and Goodwin was responsible for four offensive boards (seven total rebounds).
“I’ve been feeling (more pressure on the glass) the last couple games, but I’m still going to go every time to get myself that chance,” Goodwin said.
And despite having to wear a face mask as a precaution for a jaw sprain lately, the 27-year-old out of Saint Louis has been consistently coming off the bench for 20-plus minutes. His season plus/minus of +58 is also fifth-best on the team with Collin Gillespie, who’s also having a breakout year, leading the way at +124.
Adding in second-year pro Oso Ighodaro (+86) and two-way player Isaiah Livers (+61), bench play has been integral in the Suns getting off to a 19-13 start.
“Before the game even starts, I call the bench in for a huddle and I just let them know every game like no matter what the starters (are) our job is to come in here and change the pace of the game, change the game,” Goodwin said.
“And when we out there, man, it’s our chance to go hoop.”
Jordan Goodwin is self-proclaimed ‘big Rasheer Fleming fan’
Though Goodwin is only in his fifth season, he said he hasn’t been shy with throwing out advice to rookies — especially Rasheer Fleming.
“I’m in Rasheer’s ear all the time, every day. He sits by me on the plane. We actually got a locker (back in Phoenix),” Goodwin said. “Basically I just tell him every time he go out there, just make sure that they see you. … Go get a block, go get a rebound, go get a steal, turn somebody over.
“(I) tell him, ‘Yo, these minutes (when we’re way ahead) aren’t meaningless.’ They’re going to pay off for him, and now he starting to see it because he’s in the rotation a little bit now.”
Fleming has spent time developing and maturing his game in the G League but has logged at least 10 minutes in each of his last five games with the NBA Suns.
The 6-foot-9 forward was selected No. 31 overall in the 2025 NBA Draft and is only beginning to expand his skillset beyond the raw physical giftings of a 7-foot-5 wingspan.
Related
Grayson Allen out vs. Cavs; Ryan Dunn good to go
Jalen Green hit with $25,000 fine for profanity in interrupted postgame interview
Suns keep up tireless effort on glass to beat Wizards
Haywood Highsmith re-signs with Suns after being waived last week
Which games on the Suns’ schedule did Dillon Brooks circle?
Amar’e Stoudemire, Mike D’Antoni salute ‘7 seconds or less’ Suns in Hall of Fame speeches
Comments
6 Comments
Can you get in Khaman Maluach's ear too, JG? Asking for a fanbase, thanks!
Goodwin is a guy you hope they can keep this summer. He has been excellent - contributing in so many ways.
Do you all remember Goodwin two seasons ago under HC Frank Vogel? Vogel was very high on Goodwin after he came over along with Beal from Washington. By mid-season Goodwin was in Vogel's doghouse and traded along with Bates-Diop to Brooklyn. Brooklyn instantly waived Goodwin and he was signed by Memphis to a ten-day then a two-way. That summer the Lakers signed Goodwin to a ten-day, waived him. Brought him back on a tw-way, converted Goodwin to a regular contract then waived him and Shake Milton to get under the tax threshold and create a roster space for Marcus Smart.
Speaking of Goodwin's rebounding prowess, Goodwin is a four-year player out of St. Louis. University, home of the "Billikens". Separate interesting story behind the name "Billikens". Getting back on point, Goodwin averaged over ten rebounds his junior and senior seasons. He left St. Louis with a career average of nine rpg and left as their 4th highest all-time rebounder. He also left as St. Louis all-time leader in steals.
Goodwin graduated with a degree in Sociology.
A bit of six degrees of separation with Washington, the team that first signed Goodwin. When Phoenix traded for Beal and Goodwin, it was a three-team deal that included Indiana. The Pacers traded the draft rights to current Wizards starter Bilal Coulibaly to Washington. Phoenix also sent the 2025 2nd rd pick to Washington that was used to draft the Pelicans Micah Peavy. Washington packaged the rights to Peavy along with Jordan Poole and Saddiq Bey and sent them to New Orleans and ended up with McCollum and Cam Whitmore.
Washington had acquired Poole for Chris Paul. The last time I believe Chris Paul was still a tradeable asset.