The Los Angeles Lakers have made a savvy move to bolster their roster for the 2025-26 NBA season, securing guard Jordan Goodwin by picking up his $2.3 million team option, as reported by Keith Smith of Spotrac. This decision ensures that the Lakers retain a tenacious defender and efficient shooter, whose contributions last season earned him the reputation of a “lockdown machine” on the court. Paired with the potential return of center Christian Koloko, who was tendered a two-way qualifying offer, the Lakers are poised to field a dynamic duo that could make Western Conference rivals tremble.
Goodwin, who played 29 games for the Lakers last season, averaged 5.6 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 1.0 steals per contest. His shooting efficiency was impressive, with a 43.8% field goal percentage and a career-high 38.2% from three-point range. These numbers highlight his ability to contribute on both ends of the floor, blending relentless defense with sharpshooting prowess. Trevor Lane of Lakers Nation praised Goodwin’s performance, noting his “tenacious” defensive skills and his ability to knock down threes at a career-best clip.
The Los Angeles Lakers have picked up their $2.3M team option for Jordan Goodwin. His contract now becomes lightly guaranteed for 2025-26.
The Lakers also tendered a two-way qualifying offer to Christian Koloko. Koloko will now be a restricted free agent on July 1.
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) June 29, 2025
The $2.3 million team option is a steal for a player of Goodwin’s caliber. As Raj C. of ClutchPoints aptly stated, “Jordan Goodwin being back made too much sense. Too cheap of a deal to decline. Will far out kick that contract.” Goodwin’s ability to guard multiple positions and stretch the floor with his shooting makes him a valuable asset for a Lakers team looking to build on their 50-32 record from the 2024-25 season, where they secured the third seed in the Western Conference.
Additionally, the Lakers’ decision to tender a two-way qualifying offer to Christian Koloko signals their commitment to their South Bay development program, which has produced “killer success stories” like Goodwin and Koloko. Koloko, now a restricted free agent, brings size and shot-blocking ability to the frontcourt. His potential return could complement Goodwin’s perimeter defense, creating a “3D assassin” duo—combining three-point shooting and defensive dominance—with a “relentless block feast” in the paint.
Goodwin’s journey to this point has been one of perseverance. Over four NBA seasons with the Washington Wizards, Memphis Grizzlies, and Lakers, he has posted career averages of 6.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.4 assists across 150 games. His growth as a player, particularly his improved three-point shooting last season, has solidified his role as a key rotational piece for Los Angeles.
While the Lakers fell to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the 2025 NBA playoffs, retaining Goodwin and potentially Koloko signals their intent to remain competitive in a stacked Western Conference. The combination of Goodwin’s lockdown defense and Koloko’s rim protection could create matchup nightmares for opponents, forcing rival teams to rethink their strategies.
As the Lakers head into the 2025-26 season, their cost-effective retention of Jordan Goodwin for just $2.3 million is a masterstroke. With the “3D assassin” duo of Goodwin and potentially Koloko, the Lakers are building a roster that blends defensive tenacity with offensive firepower. Western Conference rivals, beware—the Lakers are ready to make waves.