Ishmail Wainwright’s quest for an NBA title may have been significantly realigned by the decision of the Phoenix Suns to waive him last week.

But in moving to the Portland Trail Blazers, Wainwright has joined a club where his experience might lead to having a bigger voice than he could ever hoped to have with Phoenix.

Wainwright is one of Portland’s three oldest players, and will automatically assume a leadership role in the locker room for the rebuilding Blazers, who have started the season 0-2. Wainwright’s adaptation will be massively assisted by the presence of Mike Schmitz, Portland’s assistant general manager and Uganda Silverbacks’ assistant coach.

Schmitz and Wainwright know each other too well, and it is no surprise that the player ended up at Portland when his two-year tenure with the Suns came to an end.

Wainwright missed Portland’s two opening fixtures and is still dealing with a calf strain that will delay his debut for a few more days. For Uganda, Wainwright’s new contract means Uganda’s representation in the NBA sustains, as the wait for Arthur Kaluma and this year’s draft continues.

Wainwright is the cornerstone of Uganda, for whom he was naturalized in 2021 and went on to inspire to a top-eight Afrobasket finish.