Jordan

Goodwin

With both players sidelined and Luka Doncic (calf) questionable, Jarred Vanderbilt and Jordan Goodwin could pick up additional minutes in the Lakers’ final game before the All-Star break.

Signed to a 10-day contract on Friday, Goodwin has made a positive impression in his first two games as a Laker. He’s provided solid value in the points, rebounds, and steals categories, but that isn’t enough to make Goodwin a player worth rostering. With Dalton Knecht expected to be available for Wednesday’s game against the Jazz, Goodwin may not have as many minutes available to him moving forward.

Redick said that Knecht flew back to Los Angeles on Sunday night, and while he won’t play against Utah on Monday, he will be available when they play the Jazz again on Wednesday. Knecht will likely return to his usual role after the trade that sent him to Charlotte was rescinded.

Goodwin returns to Los Angeles after signing a training camp deal a couple months prior. He’s unlikely to make a fantasy impact, even with the Lakers’ significant lack of bench depth at the moment.

Goodwin spent most of last season with the Phoenix Suns, where he averaged 5.0 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.9 assists across 40 outings. He then notched 10.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 4.5 assists in 17 games with the Memphis Grizzlies.

After grabbing a career-high 19 rebounds on Tuesday, Goodwin corralled 17 more on Friday. Add the steals, and he made up for a subpar night shooting the basketball. Goodwin and Scotty Pippen Jr. have been solid fantasy assets down the stretch, as the Grizzlies are playing out the string with a depleted roster. Pippen finished Friday’s defeat with 28 points, five rebounds, six assists, four steals, and three 3-pointers in 30 minutes. However, Pippen is questionable for Sunday’s game against the Nuggets with an eye injury. Goodwin’s value would be boosted if Pippen cannot play.

Goodwin did not have a good night shooting the ball, making 33.3% of his attempts, but he was highly productive as a rebounder. Eight of his career-high 19 rebounds came on the offensive end of the floor, and he was also responsible for five assists. Scotty Pippen Jr. also struggled with his shot (4-of-15 FGs) but recorded a full stat line, finishing with 14 points, seven rebounds, five assists, four steals, and one blocked shot in 31 minutes. With Desmond Bane (back) unlikely to play again this season, managers in active fantasy leagues need to add Goodwin and Pippen.

Memphis isn’t playing for anything other than draft lottery odds, so they do not need to put Bane at risk of further injuring himself. Scotty Pippen Jr. and Jordan Goodwin will play plenty during the final week of the regular season. Managers in active fantasy leagues should add them, as they’re available in most leagues.

While he was responsible for five turnovers, Pippen’s overall stat line made up for that. Rostered in seven percent of Yahoo leagues, he has provided 10th-round per-game value over the past week in 8-cat formats. The turnovers (2.8 per game) have conspired to limit Pippen’s value in 9-cat formats, but Memphis’ many injuries make him worth the risk. That can also be said for Jordan Goodwin, who started alongside Pippen and finished with 14 points, six rebounds, six assists, one steal, and two 3-pointers in 28 minutes. Both are worth rostering if Desmond Bane, Luke Kennard, and John Konchar aren’t available for Saturday’s game against Philadelphia.

Jackson Jr. was playing too well, so now he will join his co-star on the sidelines for Friday’s game. That will open up a ton of minutes and shots for young guys, which should allow for Scotty Pippen Jr., Jordan Goodwin, GG Jackson and Jake LaRavia to have a chance to provide really strong value.