To sign Smart, the Lakers make another move! After cutting Goodwin, the salary is 1 million below the luxury tax line

According to ESPN reporter Shams Charania on Twitter, the Los Angeles Lakers have officially cut guard Jordan Goodwin. The main purpose of the move is to make cap space for the team to sign Marcus Smart after he was bought out by the Washington Wizards.

Previously, the Lakers had just executed Goodwin's team option for a $2.3 million contract next season, but only $25,000 in this contract is a guaranteed amount. Earlier today, the team had cut Sheck Milton, and Goodwin became the only player in the team to hold a non-guaranteed contract. Goodwin's prospects for staying in the team have become bleak as the Lakers confirmed to introduce Smart with a two-year $11 million contract, to balance the salary structure, a series of cost-cutting measures are imperative. It is understood that Smart's salary next season will correspond to a biennial special of $5.1 million.

ESPN salary expert Bobby Max analyzed on Twitter that this operation is very necessary - because the Lakers' total salary is lower than the first luxury tax line, they were able to sign Smart successfully, and the team's salary is currently below the line of $1 million. He also added that given Goodwin has been playing in the NBA for four seasons, he is no longer eligible to sign a two-way contract.

This season, Goodwin played 29 regular season games for the Lakers, averaging 18.7 minutes per game, contributing 5.6 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.4 assists, and shooting 38.2% from three-pointers. He played four games in the five-game series against the Minnesota Timberwolves, averaging 7.8 minutes per game.

The 26-year-old defensive guard will next enter a waiver and will become a full free agent if no one claims it, and the claim order will be opposite to the 2024-25 NBA team rankings. Sports Illustrated reporter Tony Jones speculated on Twitter that Goodwin might attract some teams in the free agent market.