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Toumani Camara is the Most Underrated NBA Player

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Portland Trail Blazers forward Toumani Camara (33) drives past Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) in the first half at Crypto.com Arena.

Toumani Camara has gradually become the most underrated NBA player due to his superb performance for the Portland Trail Blazers defense and his offensive ceiling. The versatile forward has become a significant part of the team’s rebuild, but most of the NBA is unaware.

Toumani Camara is the Most Underrated NBA Player

The Trail Blazers are firmly in the rebuilding process. It has led to more people knowing more about the young pillars like Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe. Alongside Donovan Clingan, those players are the building blocks for the long-term future of Rip City.

However, people must recognize that Camara deserves to be part of that core. He has become the star of the Portland defense due to his versatility. The Belgian forward can defend guards to centers due to his mix of length, strength, and athleticism. The performances on defense might be enough to make him one of the league’s best. Unfortunately, most are not yet aware of his efforts.

Any Team Would Love to Have a Player Like Camara

With the NBA moving to a more positionless approach, versatile players like Camara are important. He is the quintessential wing player who could play either forward position. At the same time, he is willing to play with boatloads of energy. The hustle in every part of his game has helped him stand out as a regular in Portland’s starting lineup.

The 24-year-old’s defense is already elite because he knows how to match up well against any player. Camara has enough physical tools to help him compete against anyone, which has led to elite defensive assignments. He is willing to sacrifice, leading the NBA in charges with 16.

The stats do not show his overall impact because he is more of a watch-the-game player. He is averaging 9.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, two assists, 1.4 steals, and 0.5 blocks per game. Camara is shooting at a decent efficiency, going 44.2% from the field. With his impact on both ends of the floor, he has a case for being the most underrated NBA player.

Camara’s Offensive Ceiling

If Portland wants to keep developing their players, they will need growth. Camara is important to the team’s defense, but there is potential for him to grow on offense. He is already superb with his finishing in the paint. Camara can score inside with either hand, which makes him a reliable cutter or pick-and-roll partner.

At the same time, he is already progressing as a three-point shooter. In his rookie year in the 2023-24 season, he shot 33.7%  from beyond the arc. In the 2024-25 season, he is shooting a shade under the league average with 34.9%. With an improved three-ball, he can be an elite 3-and-D wing.

Camara has also shown he is an adept playmaker. He averages two assists per game but has a high basketball IQ. The feel for the game is phenomenal, so he can make the extra pass or even be a short-roll playmaker.

As he matures into his role, expect him to be a smarter player with timely passes and screens. Combined with his impact on the Trail Blazers’ defense, he will be valuable in the long term. Head coach Chauncey Billups could be fired soon, but he has developed Camara well.

Camara Fits Into the Blazers’ Rebuild Plans

With Camara as a starter, Portland has a versatile player who can get along with anyone. Henderson will lead the Blazers’ future alongside Sharpe in the backcourt, but having Camara with them is a good dynamic. He might only be in his second year, but being 24 has helped develop him into a more mature player.

Deni Avdija is also a long-term piece for Portland due to his amazing contract. He and Camara have formed a strong dynamic because they are reliable forwards for this team. The center position is still shaky due to DeAndre Ayton, but the two forwards have been superb with Clingan.

The UConn standout is the center of the future, so Avdija and Camara meshing with him is a good sign. The Blazers must recognize this and lock him in with a contract extension as soon as possible. They can still look for players that fit the rebuild, but a potential First-Team All-Defense mainstay is valuable.

Portland is not the most popular team nowadays, but people should watch out for Camara. He is not well-known to casual fans, but Camara is the most underrated NBA player.

The post Toumani Camara is the Most Underrated NBA Player appeared first on Last Word On Basketball.