Why the Wizards chose Goodwin over Barton

Why the Wizards chose Goodwin over Barton

You all know by now that the Wizards have completed a buyout of Will Barton's contract, clearing the way for the team to sign Jordan Goodwin.

Both Barton and Goodwin played 40 games this season; both played the guard position and both played a similar average number of minutes per game (Barton 19.6 / Goodwin 18.1).

So why did Tommy Sheppard choose Goodwin over Barton?

Its probably not the stats

In most statistical categories Goodwin and Barton mirrored each other. Both players averaged a similar 3-point percentage at around 38.1% and both had a similar number of assists per game at 2.4.

In terms of rebounds, both guys averaged around 3 rebounds per game and both players averaged around 1 turnover per game.

There is one statistical difference that did stand out. Even though Barton averaged more points per game (7.7) than Goodwin (6.0), there was a significant difference in field goal percentage between the two players..

• Barton: 38.7 FG%

• Goodwin: 44.7 FG%

One stat highlighted by Nekias Duncan from Basketballnews.com may provide the real reason the Wizards chose Goodwin over Barton: DEFENSE!

Goodwin's DEPM (plus -1.6) puts him on par with Derrick White and Marcus Smart and slightly ahead of guys like De'Anthony Melton and True Holiday.

Must be the money

You can't deny the financial aspect of this decision. Will Barton was making $14.375 million in the final year of his contract. Goodwin's deal has yet to be released but to put some numbers into perspective, Johnny Davis is making $4.8M per year as our first round pick. Goodwin will likely make less than that so Wizards are defiantly saving some money to pay Kuzma and/or Porzingas in the offseason.