3 Phoenix Suns Summer League Players Earning Roster Consideration

Elder statesmen Ish Wainright has a lot of what the Phoenix Suns need

At 27 years old, Ish Wainright resembled one of the oldest players on one of the oldest Summer League teams. But with age comes experience—and from that—productivity.

Ish playing valuable minutes for the Suns last year almost certainly helped him earn this Summer League slot with Phoenix. Although Jae Crowder stayed ahead of him in the pecking order at power forward though, a change might be on the horizon.

Crowder’s NBA career began to look like something nearing its end last year during the postseason. All of his stats have been trending down for quite some time which is understandable at 32 years old.

Crowder averaged nine points, five boards, and two assists per game before the playoffs. He also shot 40 percent from the field, 35 percent from three, and 79 percent from the stripe during the regular season. He did finish a +5.9 on the season though, likely because he still brings it on D.

Most of those numbers dropped in the playoffs, which resembles a rough burden for a championship team to bear. Crowder also put up nine, five, and two in the playoffs, but only while shooting 30 percent from three and 73 percent from the stripe. His overall field goal percentage did not shift.

Crowder also finished the playoffs at -1.9, with some of his worst performances coming during pivotal games for Phoenix vs the Mavericks. The numbers unfortunately argue that an upgrade is needed. Perhaps that’s Cameron Johnson, but Wainright can definitely help fill that role as well.

Wainright stretches out to almost the exact same size as Crowder. Only five pounds separates them on the scale and one inch as far as height goes. Their games also reflect each other being 3-and-D builds. The numbers illustrate this as well.

In his five games at Summer League, Wainright averaged 24 minutes, 11 points, three rebounds, and two assists per game. He averaged just one turnover per game as well and finished +3 on the court.

The shooting grew even more impressive for the former Baylor Bear though. He let everyone know his jump shot is legit. He shot 42 percent from the field, 85 percent from the line, and a stellar 42 percent from deep. He took 38 attempts in total, so that is a pure stroke.

It is Summer League, but those numbers are a step up from Crowder. The shooting definitely is there and Ish can hold his own defensively with that body built like a brick house.