Summer League: Did Ish Wainright impress enough to remain with the Phoenix Suns?

The Phoenix Suns have concluded their NBA 2K23 Las Vegas Summer League, finishing with a 3-2 record after defeating the Indiana Pacers on Sunday.

One of the biggest storylines of the tournament was forward Ish Wainright, with the 27-year-old having appeared in 45 games with the Suns last season.

He averaged 2.8 points and 1.2 rebounds in eight minutes per game, but after initially beginning on a two-way contract, Wainright was converted to a full contract on the eve of the playoffs.

Currently a free-agent, did Ish Wainright impress enough in Summer League to warrant a new contract from the Phoenix Suns?

Wainright had a productive Summer League, playing in all five games as he averaged 11 points and 3.4 rebounds in 23.8 minutes per contest.

The most impressive aspect was his three-point shooting, knocking down 41.4% of his 5.8 attempts per game throughout Summer League.

It’s this skillset, combined with an ability to switch on defense, that makes him a valuable commodity in today’s modern NBA. Having taken a long path to get here, including stops with multiple European teams, Wainright is ready to leave no stone unturned.

"“This is real. This is what I want to do. This is my passion. This is what I love. This is going to change not only my life, but my family’s life!”"

Ultimately, his versatility may be the primary reason Wainright returns to the organization next season. At 6’5″ with a strong frame, he is capable of playing both forward positions and even presents as a small-ball center option at times.

This, along with his favouritism among fans and those within the franchise, means Wainright is worth a shot next season. Time will tell whether that’s on a two-way deal or on the team’s final 15-man roster, with spots still up for grabs heading into next season.