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Former Suns’ contract extension draws bitter fan reactions

Originally posted on Burn City Sports | By Connor Moreno | Last updated Oct 20, 2025 4:33 PM ET

PHOENIX — Just ahead of the 2023-24 NBA season, the Phoenix Suns took part in a three-team trade that sent Damian Lillard to Milwaukee and Deandre Ayton to Portland.

Little did they know that a young forward by the name of Toumani Camara would wind up being arguably the biggest asset out of that trade in just two years time.

Fast-forward to the week before the 2025-26 season, and Camara signed a four-year, $82 million contract extension with the Trail Blazers on the heels of an All-Defensive season.

The former No. 52 overall pick is yet another thorn on the side of a tumultuous half-decade of disappointment for the franchise, and news of his lucrative extension drew some salty reactions from Suns fans.

https://t.co/H9KgDz5e1y pic.twitter.com/DijPufcduh

— Mike Vigil (@protectedpick) October 19, 2025

Real talk: when is the last time the Phoenix Suns WON a trade? https://t.co/MZRSFqr1Ni

— Suns JAM Session Podcast (@SunsJAM) October 20, 2025

JAMES JONES AND BARTELSTEIN LET HIM GO FOR JUSUF NURKIC AND NOW HES A 20 MIL AAV ALL DEFENSE PLAYER https://t.co/KCjgWoEIpi pic.twitter.com/GlQfbzz2kN

— (@whuabz) October 19, 2025

Suns shoulda never gave him up https://t.co/ggR1eYfeIu

— Brandon Awadis (@brawadis) October 19, 2025

I know everyone wants to headbutt through drywall seeing this but Toumani deserves a huge shoutout for going into a complete rebuild with odd timing and immediately becoming one of the pillars of Portland's upswing. Really excited to see the player he ends up becoming. https://t.co/ssHl8HHYwI

— Kellan Olson (@KellanOlson) October 19, 2025

We traded him, Ayton, and a 1st for Grayson Allen https://t.co/2TGEtz4EeE pic.twitter.com/uJHCa0KKMW

— ___…___ (@OIOOIlOO____) October 19, 2025

Fallout From The Suns Trade

The aforementioned three-team trade was highlighted by sending Lillard to the Bucks to team up with Giannis Antetokounmpo, but the aftermath hasn’t really worked out for anyone.

Lillard is now back with Portland (ironically with Jrue Holiday). Ayton was a disappointment in Portland and the franchise basically paid him to leave and sign with the Lakers. Jusuf Nurkic was traded to Charlotte by the Suns during last season’s debacle.

Camara alone makes the Trail Blazers a de-facto winner of the trade two seasons later.

It took having to trade Kevin Durant and buy out Bradley Bea for Phoenix to have somewhat of a clear path moving forward, although that path means having little to no expectations for the next few seasons.

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This article first appeared on Burn City Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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