The Western Conference landscape has shifted drastically in the past few weeks. First was the historical and chaotic trade deadline. More recently, ESPN's Shams Charania reported that the San Antonio Spurs will shut down Victor Wembanyama for the remainder of the 2024-25 season due to a deep vein thrombosis (a form of a blood clot) in his right shoulder. It's scary and unfortunate, but the silver lining is that the Spurs caught it, and they believe it to be an isolated incident.
Wembanyama was far and away the favorite to win his first of many Defensive Player of the Year awards. But now he won't reach the 65-game minimum in order to be eligible, ending the season with 46 games played.
Camara could make All-Defensive team with Wembanyama and Davis likely out of the race
Bryce Simon of Motor City Hoops joined Sam Vecenie of The Athletic on The Game Theory Podcast, where they discussed their reactions to the Wembanyama news and checked in on the sophomore players around the league.
Simon highlighted Toumani Camara's impressive defensive potential. "You talk about guys with All-NBA level defense potential; that's him. He has a chance to get there. He's really good. He's disruptive, guards the other team's best player, protects the rim, and plays with verticality," Simon said, also mentioning that Camara is one of his favorite players in the league to watch -- something Blazers fans can certainly relate to.
"There's a non-zero chance he's an All-Defense guy for me... he erases dudes," Vecenie added. "Go ask Tyrese Haliburton about Toumani Camara. Shut him down to the tune of zero points... this dude is a special defender."
Vecenie placed Camara behind Lu Dort in his All-Defensive rankings but ahead of Jalen Williams, recognizing him as part of the next tier of elite defenders. He also noted that Camara might make an All-Defense team this year with Wembanyama out for the season and Anthony Davis possibly out of the mix.
Davis has played 43 games this season and will be re-evaluated in two weeks after suffering a left adductor strain in his first game with the Mavericks. Defensive Player of the Year is too farfetched for Camara this season, with one of Jaren Jackson Jr. or Evan Mobley likely to win the award that historically values big men.
Camara still has a legitimate shot at earning All-Defensive honors in just his second NBA season. Blazers fans who have watched Camara guard superstar players ranging from Damian Lillard to Nikola Jokic and everyone in between know he deserves a spot.
But more important than the award is the fact that the Blazers finally have found their two-way wing as a key building block in their rebuild.