The Portland Trail Blazers were able to steal Toumani Camara in the Jusuf Nurkic-Deandre Ayton swap with the Phoenix Suns. Although Camara was just the No. 52 overall pick, he was anything but a throw-in. Portland did its predraft homework on Camara and was adamant on him being included in that deal. Two seasons and one All-Defensive Team selection later, we are seeing why that was the case.
This was all part of the blockbuster Damian Lillard trade, which has already looked genius for general manager Joe Cronin and the Blazers. But the exciting thing to consider regarding this deal and Camara in particular is that they bought low on him as a player.