Again in 2023, the Phoenix Suns went all-in on competing for a championship. They wished to maximise their duo of Kevin Durant, and Devin Booker, and had an sad DeAndre Ayton on their roster on the time. The Suns wished to improve their frontcourt with a greater match.
Phoenix ended up buying and selling Ayton to Portland for Jusuf Nurkic as a part of the blockbuster Damian Lillard commerce. The Suns additionally connected Toumani Camara to the deal, who was their second spherical decide on the time. Camara by no means suited up within the Valley.
deeThe Nurkic transfer changed into an abject catastrophe for Phoenix, as he was a poor defensive match, and was a step sluggish in all elements of the sport. The Suns ended up getting boat raced by the Timberwolves within the playoffs, after which missed the playoffs altogether final yr. The large cause for that has been their protection, which has been below-average the final two seasons.
As for Camara, he has developed into among the finest defenders within the league, incomes All-Defensive second workforce honors final yr. It was an enormous misstep by Phoenix to commerce him away, and Camara is barely scratching the floor.
Toumani Camara is about to take one other leap this season
Camara had a profession yr in his second season. He averaged 11 factors per recreation, six rebounds, and almost two steals per recreation. He additionally confirmed important enchancment on his jumpshot, flattening 38 % of his threes on 5 makes an attempt per recreation.
Camara actually upped his recreation after the All-Star break final yr, averaging almost 14 PPG with a true-shooting proportion of 60 %, and shot 40 % from three. He seemed extra assured offensively, and nonetheless maintained his elite defensive chops.
Camara has great versatility on that finish. He can sustain with shifty guards, and isn’t afraid to combine it up with extra bodily forwards due to his size at 6’8”, and 220 pound body. As he continues to mature bodily, his protection will solely get higher.
Camara will cement himself additional as one of many NBA’s finest defenders
Camara burst onto the scene final yr however has one other stage to get to. As a part of a budding younger core in Portland, which now has the steadying veteran presence of Jrue Vacation, Camara is primed to take one other step.
Along with that, Vacation’s mentorship can be important for the younger Camara, as Vacation has been one of many extra elite defenders within the NBA for the final decade.
Camara will very a lot be within the All-Defensive dialog as soon as once more this yr, and with the Blazers being able to compete in a troublesome West, he ought to get extra nationwide recognition this season.
