The end of the 2024-25 regular season cannot come quick enough for the Phoenix Suns, and at this point it doesn't even look like they are going to have a play-in tournament spot to show for their efforts this season - or more aptly - lack thereof. Their most recent loss to the Milwaukee Bucks somehow allowing the 36-39 Sacramento Kings to hold onto the 10th spot out West.
Kevin Durant's ankle sprain means many are already speculating that he might have played his last game for the franchise, while Bradley Beal continues to be out with a hamstring issue as well. The Suns' rotation is clearly short of guys who can help on both ends of the floor, although it is defensively where they have so badly struggled all season.
A player they gave away in Toumani Camara is the perfect solution.
You might remember that Camara - at the time a rookie coming off a nice showing for the Suns in Summer League play - was added to the deal that sent Deandre Ayton to the Portland Trail Blazers. Jusuf Nurkic and Grayson Allen headed to The Valley in their place, and we all know how that deal ultimately ended up going for the Suns.
But if you've been paying attention to the Trail Blazers - and they're only two games back in the loss column on the Suns this season - then you'll know that Camara has been one of the best things about that rebuilding team this season. Certainly at this point he has more value - both in Portland and throughout the league - than Ayton.
No number better encapsulates when Camara is doing for the Trail Blazers - and it is something the Suns desperately need themselves - than the defensive rating the team has this season. Their 114.6 points conceded each night is just below league average, and it goes a large way to explaining why that team has been competitive in more games than they should be.
When Camara is out there that number holds true - it is actually slightly better at 114.1 - and his ability to defend multiple positions with his longer frame is evident for all to see. Camara could have been this team's version of Mikal Bridges in Phoenix, and he also possesses a skill that most should on the Suns, but they do not. He cares.
The Suns right now sit a woeful 27th in defensive efficiency, allowing 117.5 points each night. A lot of these points are given away because players miss rotations and don't communicate, and worst of all don't appear to care either. Credit to rookies Ryan Dunn and Oso Ighodaro, they certainly do give their all on that end of the court.
A couple things here:
Toumani Camara is probably the best NBA player that you haven’t heard of yet, but will be hearing of soon
NBA franchise’s social teams are on a new level as of late. This is one of the coolest edits I’ve EVER seen#RipCity
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— Kellen Bulger (@spopadraic) April 1, 2025
It is how both - alongside two-way player Collin Gillespie - have worked their way back into the rotation proper at this late stage of the season. Camara though would have given the team so much more juice on that end - and while pairing him with Dunn offensively would have caused problems - on the other end they would have been so much better.
At this point we also know that the best way for the Suns to be competitive this season was to surround Devin Booker and Durant with guys who can defend, but that was discovered too late to make a difference. Camara would have been the x-factor in that regard, a second year player who is making real strides. His play in Portland a painful reminder that he was just given away.