Chris Boucher is one of the Raptors organization’s best success stories. Like Fred VanVleet, Boucher worked his way up from the 905 Raptors to the Toronto Raptors, a testament to his hard work and the organization’s development program. Now, heading into the new season, Boucher is the last player from the 2019 championship roster and the longest-tenured Raptor on the team. However, for the fan favorite from Montreal, his role on the Raptors disappeared last season. Boucher averaged below 20 minutes per game for the first time in three seasons in 2023-2024. With Boucher entering his eighth season in the NBA in the last year of his deal, here are a few potential roles for Boucher next season.
Chris Boucher’s Potential Role In Toronto Next Season
Boucher, The Bench Warmer
After the Raptors decided to blow it up last season, Boucher found himself outside Coach Darko Rajakovic’s circle of trust. Boucher only appeared in six of the last 34 games of the season. It was also reported that Toronto tried to trade Boucher at the deadline, but no deal materialized. Boucher’s reduction in role is due to a style difference between player and coach. Boucher is a high-energy, high-flyer who struggles to make quick decisions and reads, a key component of Rajakovic’s attack plan and something he requires from his players. With Boucher in his early 30s, it is unlikely he will be able to reshape his game to fit Rajakovic’s demand. Leaving Boucher’s potential role next season, being riding the pine all year.
Boucher, The Veteran Leader
Heading into next season, the Raptors have a young roster with four rookies and several other young guys. Any rebuilding team needs veterans to help keep the roster focused and build good habits. Toronto has a good group of vets, including Garrett Temple, Kelly Olynyk, and Jakob Poeltl, with Boucher’s potential adding to the veteran leadership this season. Boucher hasn’t always been the best leader, but he admitted he needed to work on his leadership over the summer and hopes to be a better role model for his young teammates. He also commented on becoming a higher IQ player, which is in line with what Rajakovic wants from his players. If Boucher can step up as a leader and think about the game more, a role as a veteran leader off the bench might be here for him in Toronto.
Boucher, The Trade Piece
While Boucher fell out of Toronto’s rotation last season, he is still a solid NBA player. Boucher can score in transition, grab rebounds, and sometimes knock down an outside shot. Boucher is in the final year of his contract and is owed 10.8 million for the season. Being in a contract year makes moving Boucher easier, something the Raptors tried and failed to do last season. Boucher’s trade value is probably close to an all-time low following last season. To fix this, the Raptors could look to give him some early burn in hopes of building up his trade value heading into the trade deadline. Boucher could be traded to a team that needs energy, size, and scoring off the bench.
