There’s a quiet battle unfolding within the Phoenix Suns, one that won’t shape headlines but could shape the margins of the roster. Through three preseason games, the picture is beginning to take form,
and we’re starting to see who might emerge from it.
The contest? Backup to the backup point guard. The competitors? Jordan Goodwin and Jared Butler.
While bigger names lingered in free agency over the summer, the Suns went a different direction. They opted for players who grind, who have something to prove. Jordan Goodwin arrived via waivers, cut loose by the Los Angeles Lakers to make room for Marcus Smart. His contract isn’t fully guaranteed until January 7, 2026; a ticking clock that adds both pressure and purpose.
Across from him stands Jared Butler, brought in on a training camp and Exhibit 10 deal after a solid stint with the Philadelphia 76ers, where he held his own filling gaps left by injury.
Both have cases worth making, paths worth believing in. And through three preseason games, we’re starting to see their stories diverge. Each possession, each decision, reveals which one might earn that coveted final seat on the bench.
Let’s stack ‘em up and see where we’re at through 3 games.
Minutes: Edge Butler
You never really know what you have until you give a player a chance to show it. Through three preseason games, Jared Butler has been the one getting that chance, at least a little more often. He’s averaging 16.6 minutes per game compared to Jordan Goodwin’s 13.0, and based on the rotation patterns, Butler is consistently the first one off the bench.
There are two ways to read that.
Maybe the coaching staff believes Goodwin has the edge, so they’re giving Butler an extended look, a chance to flash before the final cuts. Or maybe it’s the opposite. Butler has impressed early, and they’re testing how he holds up alongside players who are actually part of the regular rotation.
Either way, this is the baseline. When we look at the numbers, keep in mind: Butler’s had a slightly longer runway to make his case.
Points: Edge Goodwin
It’s a slim margin, but Jared Butler is edging out Jordan Goodwin in total points. 27 to 26 through three games. One point. Barely a whisper of separation, but enough to keep the competition alive.
When you dig a little deeper, however, you find that Goodwin is the primary scorer on the unit in which he plays, some of which include Jared Butler. While on the court, Butler has scored 27.6% of the team’s points. Goodwin? 30.6%, the most of any player on the team.
Efficiency: Edge Goodwin
If you shift the lens from volume to efficiency, the picture begins to tilt in Jordan Goodwin’s favor.
Butler may have the slight edge in total points, but he’s earning them the hard way. 10-of-26 from the field (38.5%) and a rough 1-of-8 from deep (12.5%). Not exactly the kind of line that inspires confidence in a guard fighting for minutes. Granted, no one’s expecting the backup-to-the-backup point guard to come in and light the nets on fire, but it wouldn’t hurt to see a few more clean makes.
Goodwin, meanwhile, has been sharper and more composed.
He’s shooting 8-of-19 overall (42.1%) and 4-of-11 from three (36.4%). The shots look intentional and rhythmic, not forced. He’s had moments that actually mattered, too, like the clutch bucket that sealed the Suns’ second preseason win over Brooklyn.
Playmaking: Edge Butler
If you’re playing the backup to the backup point guard spot, playmaking matters. Maybe not in volume, but definitely in tone. You’re not being asked to orchestrate the offense night after night, but you are expected to keep the wheels turning. The goal is simple: don’t derail the system, and if you can, give it a little push.
When looking at the assist-to-turnover ratio, the numbers are even. Both sit at 1.0. Butler has eight assists and eight turnovers. Goodwin, three and three.
On paper, it’s a wash. But context gives Butler a slight edge. He’s the one initiating more sets, probing for openings, trying to create instead of simply maintaining order. The turnovers reflect the risk that comes with responsibility, a byproduct of being entrusted with the ball and doing something with it.
So while neither has been dazzling, Butler gets the nod here. He’s not steering the ship recklessly, but he’s at least trying to move it forward.
Defensive Impact: Edge Goodwin
Let’s start with the basics. The counting stats.
Jared Butler and Jordan Goodwin each have six steals to their name. Butler holds a slight edge in blocks, two to one, though that’s hardly a deciding factor. If you want to dig a little deeper, defensive rating offers another layer, though it’s an imperfect one. The number reflects more of the unit’s collective defense than any single player’s effort. Still, it’s worth noting: Butler sits at 103.7, while Goodwin comes in lower — and better — at 97.7. Butler’s defensive win share is .068, whereas Goodwin is at .080.
Both players have made their mark defensively, which is what makes this particular roster battle so compelling. Whoever wins this job won’t be tasked with running the offense or racking up points. Their purpose is disruption. Energy. Pressure. The kind of effort that makes opponents rethink their dribble before half court.
That’s where the difference shows. Butler’s defense has been fiery but a bit reckless, committing nine fouls in three games. Goodwin, meanwhile, has fouled only four times. Jordan has been disciplined, measured, and still aggressive.
Taking everything into account, the edge goes to Goodwin. Not because he’s flashier, but because he’s smarter. He’s a defender who knows when to bite and when to wait.
The Eye Test: Edge Goodwin
I came into this preseason with an open mind about the Jared Butler vs. Jordan Goodwin competition.
Honestly, I was excited to see what Butler could bring. Last season, he averaged 11.5 points in 28 games for the 76ers while filling in for Tyrese Maxey. Not bad production for a guy fighting for a roster spot. And though his overall shooting splits weren’t eye-popping, he did hit 35.2% from deep, which hinted at some offensive upside that could translate.
But after watching every minute of the preseason so far, it’s Goodwin who stands out. He’s the one who pops off the screen, not because he’s lighting it up offensively (though he’s capable), but because of how he defends. That’s where the real separation lies. For these two, the key to securing that final guard spot isn’t flashy scoring or fancy passing. It’s playing smart defense.
Butler is talented, but his defensive approach feels more chaotic. He’s aggressive to a fault, playing to tight and taking risks that sometimes leave his teammates scrambling behind him. Goodwin, on the other hand, plays under control. He dictates tempo on both ends, picking his spots without compromising positioning or rhythm.
From the eye test alone, Goodwin gets the edge. He looks like the steadier, more reliable piece. The kind of player you trust to make the right play instead of forcing the risky one.
What do you think? What have you seen so far from Jared Butler and Jordan Goodwin this preseason? Who’s earned that edge in your eyes?
Cast your vote in the poll and drop your thoughts in the comments below.
