When you got the notification you probably did not blink when the Los Angeles Lakers signed Marcus Smart. Big name, big defense, makes sense.
What you might have missed was the quiet move that made that signing possible, which was cutting Jordan Goodwin. That is the one move this offseason that could come back to haunt the Lakers.
The heartfelt departure of Jordan Goodwin
Goodwin was not a bonafide superstar. He did not dominate the box score, but he mattered, especially to the Lake Show fanbase. He brought real energy off the bench, played defense like his life depended on it, and earned a spot in JJ Redick’s rotation the hard way, through grit, hustle, consistency, and a whole ton of heart.