Ish Wainright Will Return to Suns in 2023

The Phoenix Suns are reportedly exercising Ish Wainright's option for the 2023-24 season.

The Phoenix Suns are beginning the process of filling out their bench/rotation players, and a familiar name will be returning to the Valley for the 2023-24 season.

The Athletic's NBA insider Shams Charania is reporting the Suns are exercising the $1.9 million team option for Ish Wainright. 

The Phoenix Suns have exercised forward Ish Wainwright's $1.9 million team option to return for the 2023-24 season, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Suns currently at six players under contract entering free agency.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 27, 2023

Wainright, who will be 29 at the beginning of the regular season, has the second-lowest cap hit in Phoenix thus far:

Kevin Durant: $47.6 million
Bradley Beal: $46.7 million
Devin Booker: $36 million
Deandre Ayton: $32.4 million
Cam Payne: $6.5 million
Ish Wainright: $1.9 million
Isaiah Todd: $1.8 million

*All figures via Spotrac

Wainright first joined the Suns in 2021 on an initial two-way contract. Last February Phoenix gave him a two-year $2.5 million deal which included a team option for the upcoming season.

Wainright played in 60 games with two starts under his belt. In 15.3 minutes averaged per night, he averaged 4.2 points, 2.3 rebounds and 0.9 assists. 

He played in just six playoff games last postseason.

The Suns are very much up against the luxury tax with Durant, Beal, Booker and Ayton combining for $162 million against the salary cap.

Phoenix will likely rely on bringing back most of their restricted free agents (Darius Bazley, Jock Landale and Saben Lee) and veteran minimums to fill out the rest of their lineup. 

Torrey Craig, Bismack Biyombo, T.J. Warren, Damion Lee, Josh Okogie and Terrence Ross are unrestricted free agents.