The Toronto Raptors are trying to move on from Chris Boucher, via Doug Smith of the Toronto Star. The big man has fallen out of the rotation as of late, and a fresh start would prove beneficial for both parties.
The Raptors are trying to find a landing spot for Chris Boucher, per @SmithRaps
(Via https://t.co/4TKmUNDwzC) pic.twitter.com/76JS1SC7nX
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) February 5, 2024
NBA Rumors: Raptors Looking to Trade Title-Winner
Why The Raptors Want to Trade Boucher
Boucher is now on the wrong side of 30, and does not fit with what general manager Masai Ujiri is trying to accomplish in Toronto. The 2019 NBA champion executive has shown that he isn’t afraid to shake things up, having already traded franchise pillars Pascal Siakam to the Indiana Pacers and OG Anunoby to the New York Knicks earlier this season.
The Raptors are looking to get younger, and accumulate financial flexibility, two things that the 31 year-old does not provide.
“When you look at both trades, I think we accomplished a couple of things that we’re trying to do. If you put them together, young players, picks and the flexibility of our team going into the future. And that’s how strategically we have to look at this”, Ujiri responded when asked about his trade policy and vision for the team heading into the next few years.
One obstacle the Raptors may face in trying to trade away Boucher is his contract. He signed a three-year, $35 million deal in the summer of 2022. Boucher is slated to make $11.75 million this season, and $10.8 million in 2024-25.
Teams will shy away from paying such a hefty sum for a backup, so the Raptors may have to include him in a package deal to entice offers.
Chris Boucher This Season
Appearing in 44 of the Raptors’ 47 games played prior to Friday night against the Houston Rockets, Boucher was a staple of the bench unit, albeit in limited minutes. He is averaging 6.1 points, four rebounds, and 0.4 blocks in 14 minutes of action per game.
Raptors head coach Darko Rajaković opted not to play him against the Rockets, and continued that trend on Sunday against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
It’s now abundantly clear that the Raptors do not envision a future with Boucher.
Chris Boucher Career
The former Oregon Duck was a part of the 2019 title-winning Raptors team, as they knocked off the Golden State Warriors in six games. He became the first Canadian player to win an NBA championship with a Canadian franchise. He did not feature much during the title run, playing in only two games.
The following seasons, however, saw Boucher become a key contributor off the bench. From 2019-20 to 2022-23, Boucher appeared in 276 regular season games, averaging 19.6 minutes per contest.
His best season came in 2020-21, as he averaged 13.6 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game. The Raptors endured a tough season that year, finishing 12th in the Eastern Conference with a record of 27-45.
Where Could Toronto Trade Boucher To?
The Western Conference is Boucher’s likely destination. The Clippers have been known to be interested in a backup big, so Boucher could fit their plans.
Other teams in need of a backup center include the Denver Nuggets, the Oklahoma City Thunder, and the Houston Rockets.
