The Charlotte Hornets’ D-League affiliate recently acquired athletic guard, Archie Goodwin, who could make a serious impact at the NBA level in the near future.
The Charlotte Hornets improved their prospect pool, even more, when their D-League affiliate, the Greensboro Swarm, traded for Archie Goodwin. The former Phoenix Suns guard is still a young player who can make an impact at the NBA level. With the Hornets, he has a chance to do just that as their is plenty of opportunity with the team.
The 22-year old guard has been in the league for three seasons after being drafted in the first round of the 2013 draft. Goodwin’s athletic ability had scouts ready to take a chance on him but his all-around play never materialized enough for Phoenix to keep him for a fourth season. Despite being waived this summer, the 22-yeear old guard already got another chance in the NBA this season with the New Orleans Pelicans but after only three games, he was back in the D-League and now finds himself with the Swarm in Greensboro.
After spending plenty of time in the NBA and the Developmental League so far throughout his career, Archie has a new chance in Charlotte. First, he will have to prove himself with the Greensboro Swarm but that shouldn’t be too hard to accomplish as he has proven to be an NBA-level talent with enough production to at least make a 15-man roster. Next, he must wait for his shot to compete for a roster spot on the Hornets in the near future whether it be this season or next year.
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In Archie’s first two seasons in the NBA, he had short stints in the D-League but he put up massive numbers averaging 26.4 points per game in his rookie year and 22.7 points per game during his sophomore season. If he can put up similar numbers with the Swarm, it is only a matter of time before the Hornets will be forced to give him a closer look.
While his career stats at the NBA-level are not great at only 6.2 points per game, 2.0 rebounds per game, and 1.2 assists per game in three seasons with the Suns, Goodwin still has a chance in his young career to change his narrative. At only 22, he still has a long course ahead of him and being in Charlotte may be the perfect spot to re-energize his career. I truly believe that Archie can become a valuable contributor with the Hornets in the near future.
Before he can even think about being on the team’s 15-man roster, an opportunity will first need to present itself. Whatever that may be (injury, trade, release) Goodwin will likely be the Hornets’ first option to call-up when they need another guard on their roster. While guys like Aaron Harrison and Xavier Munford have been with the organization for a longer period of time, Archie is arguably the team’s best and most promising prospect in their system as he has already played in the NBA for multiple seasons.
Take a look at these highlights from last season:
I think there’s a reason why the franchise made the move and traded for Goodwin. The Hornets are a team that makes plans and only makes moves that they’ve already thought out so I’m sure they have a plan for Archie. As somewhat of a combo-guard, they could use him as a third-string point guard or as an emergency shooting guard. At 6’5, he has good height for both positions and him overtaking Brian Roberts‘ role isn’t out of the question either this season or next year, if the team decides to let Roberts go after his contract is up.
I think the best role for Goodwin going forward is at point guard for Charlotte. They are set at shooting guard with Marco Belinelli and Jeremy Lamb off the bench but the backup point spot isn’t as clear. While Ramon Sessions has manned the role, his play hasn’t been all too convincing. In my mind, with slight improvements to his outside shooting and playmaking ability, Archie will be in the NBA in no time. Hopefully, with the Charlotte Hornets as they could use a boost of athletism and youth on their current roster which is exactly what the former Kentucky Wildcat brings to the table.
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After Goodwin’s surprising release this offseason, the Charlotte Hornets have a chance to reap the rewards of developing a young talent like Archie. They have the luxury of waiting for him to grow as a player and improve into a legit contributor in the near future. Keep a close eye on him while with the Greensboro Swarm in the NBA D-League.