Which marginal players will the Toronto Raptors bring back next season?
Chris Boucher
Let’s start with the most exciting (if perhaps not functional) player on the list. Chris Boucher started the season on a two-way contract for both the Raptors and the Raptors 905.
During his time with the Raptors 905, he was dominant. He averaged 27 points, 11 rebounds, and four blocks per game in the G-League. At the end of the season, despite playing in just over half of the league’s games, he was named both the G-League MVP AND the Defensive Player of the Year. Legitimately, one of the best G-League seasons in history.
At the NBA level, he showed flashes. He only received meaningful minutes for a handful of games during the regular season, at a time when the Raptors were hampered with injuries.
From mid-December to mid-January, Boucher appeared in 11 of 17 games, averaging 5.4 minutes and 3.0 points per game. However, during that time (and his time in the G-League) he built enough of a sample size to get an idea of Boucher’s game and how it translates.
Offensively, Boucher is a theoretical stretch-five who also showed stints of a rim-running, lob-jamming roll-man. It appears as if he has the ability to develop into either, but for the moment, is neither.
Defensively, Boucher is still more sizzle than substance. He goes after every shot, often times leaving the defense out of position chasing shots he has no business of going after. Once again there are flashes of a valuable, if not top-end, defender, but less productive than most would think.
If Chris Boucher was 21 years old, he’d be a tantalizing prospect. Unfortunately, he’s 26.
Yes, he picked up basketball later in life, but at some point, the sand in the hourglass of your potential starts to fall out. He’s in the prime of his athletic career. How much more of a developmental leap is reasonable at this point.
If Boucher were on anything other than a minimum contract, Toronto would have a real decision on their hands. Unless he shows significant improvement, he’s likely not going to be even a rotation piece next season.
But considering the contract he’s on, and the low-risk high reward nature of his skillset. Chris Boucher is essentially a lock to return to the Toronto Raptors next season, as he should be.