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Toronto Raptors: Chris Boucher scouting report

By Mike Bossetti

LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 15: Jamel Artis #4 of the Cleveland Cavaliers drives to the basket against Chris Boucher #25 of the Toronto Raptors during a quarterfinal game of the 2018 NBA Summer League at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 15, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 15: Jamel Artis #4 of the Cleveland Cavaliers drives to the basket against Chris Boucher #25 of the Toronto Raptors during a quarterfinal game of the 2018 NBA Summer League at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 15, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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The Toronto Raptors signed second year player, Chris Boucher, to an non-guaranteed contract for next season. Here is everything you need to know about him.

The Toronto Raptors roster is particularly thin at this time. Perhaps it is because they are still expecting to make a move. Perhaps they are waiting for contract demands to decrease.

Either way it was nice to see them acquire another potential roster piece Friday when they signed forward Chris Boucher. Boucher is a Canadian born, second year player who spent last season with the Golden State and Santa Cruz Warriors.

Boucher spent the summer on Toronto’s summer league roster and obviously showed a diverse enough skill-set to earn a spot with the team.

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Defense

The main reason he was added to the roster, Boucher is a rim protector above all else. Last season in the G-League, Boucher averaged 2.1 blocks in just 22 minutes per game. This Summer League he averaged 3.3 blocks per game.

It’s easy enough to see why Boucher is able to block so many shots. At 6’11” with a near 7’4″ wingspan and good hops, Boucher looks like a pogo-stick bouncing around. Unfortunately being a pogo-stick has positives and negatives. Often times opponents can catch him leaving his feet, earning silly fouls when contesting a shot.

Tall as he is and thin as he is, Boucher looks like Gumby out on the court. He will need to gain strength, particularly in his lower body, if he wants to bang with the true veteran bigs in the league.

Offense

Theoretically Boucher brings everything desired in a modern NBA center, rim-protection and three-point shooting. Unfortunately to this point it has only been theoretical.

Boucher shot 22-percent from beyond the arc in the G-League last season. Only 50 attempts, perhaps it was just a result of small sample-size, but more than likely his jumper will need to improve before it is a real threat.

Lengthy and mobile, Boucher has the ability to serve as a decent roll-man. However, with a slight frame and no real craft around the basket he does little more than finish uncontested looks.

Player outlook

If you are expecting big things from Chris Boucher this season you may be disappointed.  Offensively his game is still far too raw and defensively is 10 or so pounds away from being a real difference maker.

If your outlook is more tempered and focused on the future, this signing could be fantastic. Boucher has a unique skill-set and if he improves in a few areas he could be a real player in this league.

Next: Cap implications of Kawhi Leonard trade

For now, consider this a solid signing for the Raptors, a small risk with a high-ceiling, all you can ask of non-guaranteed contracts.

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