No one had anything negative to say when the Phoenix Suns announced Monday that Ish Wainright was returning to the team on a two-way contract.
Wainright provided energy, positivity and physicality in his first stint with the Suns and is happy to repeat those steps in his second stint.
“I told everyone it was my home,” Wainright said. Burns and Gambo Wednesday. “I think my role in the team is still the same to be honest with you. Being an energetic guy, be a leader on and off the field and definitely have that presence on defense.
The positivity that has flowed through Wainright throughout his tenure in Phoenix is a welcome presence for him and the team for the second time.
The Suns have the toughest schedule in the NBA and are in the home stretch as teams fight for playoff positioning.
“I’m here and I’m ready to play and I’m ready to give it my all and I’m locked in and all in,” Wainright said.
There’s a level of familiarity and comfort that should also position Wainright as a fan favorite.
The feeling is mutual.
“You play for a team for not just one year but two years, and then you go through some ups and downs with these guys. You build relationships with the coaching staff, with the players, with the front office and not only that but with the fans of course. It bothered me (being traded), it would bother anyone, but I’m past that and I’m back, back home and it feels good. It feels good now,” he said.
While he may not log as many minutes as some of his teammates, his leadership will be important in dark moments throughout a tough schedule, night in and night out.
It starts Thursday as Wainright and the Suns take on the Toronto Raptors from the Footprint Center with a 7 p.m. kickoff.
