The Los Angeles Lakers have made a pivotal roster move ahead of the 2025 NBA Playoffs, officially converting guard Jordan Goodwin from a two-way contract to a standard NBA deal.

In doing so, they’ve waived Cam Reddish, ending his disappointing stint in L.A. and solidifying Goodwin’s place in the team’s postseason plans.

Goodwin, who signed a two-way deal with the Lakers back in February, quickly rose through the rotation with his gritty on-ball defense and hustle.

In 19 games, he’s averaged 6.4 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 1.2 steals in just over 20 minutes per game, shooting 47% from the field and a surprising 41.3% from beyond the arc.

Those stats, while not flashy, underscore the impact he’s had in providing defensive intensity and energy to a team that desperately needed it following the trade of Max Christie.

Due to the rules around two-way contracts, Goodwin was not eligible for the playoffs under his existing deal. With his final two-way day used in Wednesday’s dramatic win over the Indiana Pacers, the Lakers had to act. They made the move official Thursday morning, and with all 15 roster spots filled, they waived Cam Reddish to make room.

Reddish’s departure was expected. The former Duke standout never quite found his rhythm in L.A. After signing ahead of the 2023–24 season, his time was marred by inconsistency and injuries.

This year, he played in 33 games, averaging just 3.2 points and 2.0 rebounds, while shooting 40.4% from the field and 27.7% from three. Once seen as a promising two-way wing with size and upside, Reddish fell out of head coach JJ Redick’s rotation entirely after January, appearing in only two of the last 27 games.

Redick and the Lakers staff have clearly placed a premium on role players who contribute within the system. In Goodwin, they’ve found a relentless perimeter defender who thrives doing the little things: chasing ball-handlers, diving for loose balls, and crashing the offensive glass.

He’s recorded at least one offensive rebound in 18 of his 19 games, a rare feat for a 6-foot-3 guard.

The Lakers have signed Goodwin to a two-year deal, with a team option for 2025–26, adding a layer of flexibility for the offseason.

His emergence has drawn comparisons to success stories like Austin Reaves and Alex Caruso — undrafted or under-the-radar players who thrived in L.A.’s system.

Now locked into a playoff-eligible contract, Goodwin becomes a crucial depth piece behind Luka Doncic and Reaves, especially with Gabe Vincent still recovering.

His defensive chops will be put to the test against the West’s elite guards.

As for Reddish, at just 25 years old, he’ll still have suitors hoping to unlock the potential that once made him a top-10 pick.

But in Los Angeles, the Goodwin era is just beginning, and his gritty, team-first approach might be exactly what the Lakers need to make a deep run.