Toumani Camara Was 'Huge' Focal Point of Suns-Blazers Trade

Let's travel back to the 2023 Summer League, where then Phoenix Suns rookie Toumani Camara had impressed the organization after a strong showing of games.

Draft picks aren't exactly synonymous with the Suns as of late thanks to blockbuster trades for Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal in the previous months, though Camara was showing promise despite being a second-round pick. 

One anonymous Suns staffer said Camara impressed greatly in Summer League play:

“Toumani (Camara) might be more ready to play than we thought. Once that jumper comes around, we feel like we’ve got a steal on our hands," they told Spotrac. 

Camara didn't last long in Phoenix, however, as he was involved in a massive three-team deal in late September that saw him and Deandre Ayton land in Portland. 

Ayton was the main headliner on that side of the trade (Damian Lillard obviously taking the crown after being shipped to Milwaukee) though there was one big hold up in the process: 

Phoenix wanted to hang on to Camara - and Portland couldn't leave without him.

The Athletic's Jason Quick did a phenomenal piece on the tug-of-war between the two teams on the Dayton product, speaking with individuals on both sides.

“That was one of the hardest parts of the trade,” Suns coach Frank Vogel told Quick.

“Obviously, losing Deandre was big as well, but Toumani … we were high on him as a prospect. And once we got him in our building and saw him play in summer league, we got even more excited about him. But in this league, to get something good, you have to give up something good.”

According to Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups, Portland general manager Joe Cronin was steadfast on Camara's involvement in the deal, which eventually delayed the finalization of the trade until the two sides agreed.

“Joe [Cronin] was adamant,” Billups said on landing the rookie.

It hasn't taken long for Camara to impress in his new surroundings, as he established himself as a starter after just nine games of coming off the bench.