As the Los Angeles Lakers fine-tune their rotation and build chemistry before the NBA playoffs, head coach JJ Redick shared new insight into the team’s plans.
In the Lakers’ 106-102 victory over the LA Clippers on Friday night, Goodwin chipped in six points, five rebounds, and three steals, helping to extend the team’s five-game winning streak. Luka Doncic praised the impact of the Lakers’ bench unit, with Goodwin being a factor in that success.
“Yeah, like I said before, they gave us life to this game,” Doncic said. “They pushed it to be better, and when the second group with Bron (LeBron James) came out, they pushed the ball, they defended. They showed us how we need to play. Without them, we don’t win this game tonight.”
NBA News: Los Angeles Lakers’ New Plan for Jordan Goodwin
Goodwin, signed to a two-way contract on Feb. 7, has rapidly become an indispensable part of the Lakers’ setup, particularly bolstering their defense. Goodwin has averaged 6.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.3 steals in eight performances this season.
Redick noted the impact he’s seen from Goodwin while mentioning the coaching staff intends to keep him in the rotation.
“We’ve had a number of guys, you know, cycle through two-way contracts since the start of camp,” Redick said. “And I think, you know, Christian (Koloko) has really done well in that role, particularly with the layoff, and then to get Goody, who we kind of foresee just being a part of the rotation, and obviously we have to manage his games Trey as well. But those guys are just professionals, and a lot of times, with two ways, you can sort of err on the side of youth and development, and I think there’s a lot of merit and a lot of value in that Trey and Goodwin are older players by two-way standards. And so be able to have them both with experience and both having been in the league now for a couple years longer than that, but they know how to play and they can they can contribute to winning.”
The elevated impact Goodwin has provided the Lakers has been a welcomed development, but it may not be the only help they’ll get as they play out the stretch-run of the NBA season.
Will the Los Angeles Lakers Get Maxi Kleber Before the NBA Playoffs?
While recovering from right foot surgery, Maxi Kleber was traded as a member of the blockbuster deal that sent Doncic to the Lakers. Kleber has yet to play for the Lakers as he recovers from surgery, but there has been a positive development.
According to The Athletic’s Jovan Buha, the Lakers have “optimism” that Kleber can play before the regular season ends.
“I’ve heard that there is some optimism that a return before the end of the regular season is possible,” Buha said on Saturday’s Buha’s Block.
Kleber is averaging 3.0 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.3 assists in 18.7 minutes per game this season. He appeared in 34 games as a member of the Dallas Mavericks before being traded. His defensive versatility and ability to stretch the floor intrigue the Lakers, and those attributes were an essential part of the Mavericks’ strategy in recent years before the mega trade.
