Projecting Impact of Suns Rookie Toumani Camara

The Phoenix Suns' lone 2023 draft pick has thoroughly impressed in his three weeks on the roster; how will this translate to the regular season and beyond?

Phoenix Suns general manager James Jones knew he found a steal when 6'8" Dayton forward Toumani Camara was still on the board at No. 52 in June's NBA draft. Camara's game is perfectly tailored to Jones' vision of what the roster should look like.

He isn't the most athletic player on the court at any given time, though he often utilizes his speed, agility and vertical well in high leverage situations. He plays with relatively high IQ, as well as possessing a high motor. 

The ability to switch on defense is noticeable as well. League scouts also commended the forward's growth as a shooter this past season, knocking down nearly 37 percent of three pointers in his last season of college. The questions are how will his shot making translate to the league, and what will his role look like with Phoenix this season?

doing some last second scouting… Toumani Camara (#2 for Dayton) has some of the most impressive defensive film in this class. Really intriguing skillset pic.twitter.com/YbkfaojIiX

— Brayden Todd (@_braynba) June 22, 2023

Camara did sign a standard NBA contract compared to a two-way deal, insinuating he will spend much of his rookie season on the Suns' 15 man roster. His role is quite uncertain at the moment, as a new coaching staff combined with a largely new cast of role players will lead to an adjustment period, but his flashes in the Las Vegas Summer League should give Suns fans confidence that he can produce right away.

Phoenix Suns No. 52 pick Toumani Camara had a productive Summer League debut, going for 20 points on 62% FG while grabbing 8 rebounds. The 6-foot-8 forward out of Dayton signed a four-year, $7.6 million contract and looks to bring considerable plug-and-play value for a team with… pic.twitter.com/gcBUulnFTS

— League Him (@League_Him) July 9, 2023

The Dayton product will presumably be competing for minutes with the likes of Yuta Watanabe, Keita Bates-Diop, and, in some cases, Eric Gordon. Suns head coach Frank Vogel will have to figure out how to mix and match rotations as the season progresses, especially the wings. All of the aforementioned players possess skillsets that can be experimented with around the core four of Durant-Booker-Beal-Ayton. 

Camara likely projects to be a spot minutes guy at first, but there is reason to believe that the Belgian-born hooper could get opportunities to build a more defined role over the duration of the season.

Camara does happen to be older for a rookie (he recently turned 23,) however he also has clear upside that's not often seen in older rookies. His game tape from Dayton may give basketball savants flashes of former Charlotte Hornet P.J. Washington. If his jump shot comes around and is consistent at the pro level, that upside could realistically be attained and the Suns could've found a diamond in the rough in the waning minutes of the 2023 NBA Draft, even if it isn't in year one.