Jordan Goodwin joining Wizards for training camp

We’re rapidly approaching the start of NBA training camps and teams across the league are filling out their training camp rosters. That includes the Washington Wizards, who added a familiar face to the list of players that will be attending their training camp.

Jordan Goodwin, who played last season for the Wizards G-League affiliate, the Capital City Go-Go, is joining Washington for camp.

As of now, the Wizards final two-way contract remains open and it appears that the team is going to let a number of players join them at camp and compete for the final spot. Include Goodwin as those competing with his recent signing.

Jordan Goodwin is familiar with the Washington Wizards

The Washington Wizards and Jordan Goodwin know each other somewhat well heading into camp due to his experience with the Go-Go last season. The Wizards liked enough of what they saw to give him a chance to make the team and now it’s up to him to earn in.

If he doesn’t get the last contract spot it’s all but assured he will again join the G-League affiliate. That means the Wizards would be able to continue playing a role in his development while also closely monitoring his growth.

In 31 games last year in the G-League, Goodwin averaged 16 points, 6 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game. He also grabbed 1.8 steals per game.

There is certainly talent there, but he still faces an uphill battle to earn the final roster spot. If he is going to make the team, Goodwin will need to show he took significant strides as an outside shooter during the offseason.

He shot just 30 percent from deep last season in the G-League. With the Wizards being one of the worst shooting teams in the entire NBA last year,  they will be prioritizing a player that can bring that skill to the team.

Another big factor would be his defense and if he can bring any plus value on that end of the floor. Regardless of how he does defensively, though, it won’t be enough to mask his shooting if there hasn’t been major growth in that area.

Jordan Schakel possesses the one two-way contract currently being used by the Wizards. He is a bigger guard than Goodwin but like Goodwin, spent most of last season with the Go-Go. He shot 34.9 percent from three in the G-League last year.

Things that Schakel has flashed are what Goodwin will need to do his best to replicate. Schakel projects as a solid two-way player on the wing that can play off ball smoothly while also bringing some help to the defensive end of the floor.

As is always the case with two-way contract players, there is a lot of room to grow for these guys. If the Wizards are going to grow as a team in the next few years, though, it’s players like Schakel and Goodwin that could play big roles a few years from now.