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Jordan Goodwin #23 of the Phoenix Suns looks on against the Atlanta Hawks during the first quarter at State Farm Arena on January 23, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia.

After dismantling their Big 3 experiment during the offseason, the Phoenix Suns were expected to be one of the worst teams in the NBA this year.

Instead, they won 45 games en route to the eight-seed in the Western Conference.

While the result of their seeding was a sweep by the Oklahoma City Thunder, this was considered to be an incredibly successful season.

None of this could have happened without the growth of role players like Collin Gillespie and Jordan Goodwin.

While both of these players are scheduled to hit free agency in the offseason, their Early Bird rights make it easier for Phoenix to re-sign them without significant cap ramifications.

According to Gerald Bourguet of Sports360AZ, Goodwin could receive a big raise in his next contract.

What Could the Phoenix Suns Give Goodwin in Free Agency?

After putting up a spectacular season in Phoenix, Gillespie is in line for a huge contract as the Suns’ top priority.

Bourguet predicts that Phoenix will re-sign Gillespie for around $10-13 million.

This doesn’t mean Goodwin won’t earn what he deserves.

According to Bourget, Goodwin could be in line for a nice raise from his veteran minimum contract.

“Something in the bi-annual range (which comes with a starting salary of $5.5 million and can only extend for up to two years, with a 5 percent raise in Year 2) might make sense as his floor,” Bourguet wrote. “In terms of his ceiling, a three-year or four-year extension in the $7-9 million range isn’t out of the question either.”

The $7-9 million Average Annual Value is certainly nothing to sneeze at. Goodwin made just over $2 million in 2025-26.

Without his breakout year, Goodwin wouldn’t have been guaranteed much more than that.

The Suns are currently operating above the salary cap, but not in the luxury tax yet.

However, Bourguet says that if the Suns retain their two impending free agents at their projected cost, it could push Phoenix back into tax territory.

Fortunately, owner Mat Ishbia is no stranger to being in that area. If Phoenix wants to retain both players, and the price is right, there should be no obstacles in the way.

What Did Goodwin Do to Deserve This Contract?

The Washington Wizards signed Goodwin to an undrafted free agent contract in 2021. He played two seasons with Washington before they traded him to Phoenix with Bradley Beal.

In a limited role (14 minutes per game in 40 games), Goodwin averaged 5.0 points and 2.9 rebounds.

Phoenix would subsequently trade him later in the season to the Memphis Grizzlies in a three-team deal to get Royce O’Neale.

However, Goodwin was claimed off waivers from the Los Angeles Lakers by the Suns during this past offseason. This would be the beginning of Goodwin’s second stint in Phoenix.

He had a season to remember in his age-27 campaign.

In a career-high 70 games, Goodwin averaged career bests in minutes (22.5), points (8.7), rebounds (4.9), steals (1.5) and 3-point attempts (4.3).

However, his impact went beyond the stat sheet. Goodwin would win the Suns’ Dan Majerle Hustle Award as a defensive menace. He truly made it tough for opponents from inbound to shot attempt.

This makes him a priority free agent for Phoenix, along with Gillespie.

The Suns will need to retain their key role players to build on their success from the 2025-26 season.