Chris Boucher
The Toronto Raptors getting back to near-full strength would always put someone’s minutes in jeopardy. it was either Chris Boucher or Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, unfortunately, since RHJ has been playing so well, it’s hard to dislodge him.
That meant that Chris Boucher had to take the bullet, and it stings. The return of Serge Ibaka would clog up the Raptors frontcourt rotations, and there is no way that Nick Nurse could afford to leave out Ibaka, so Boucher was the odd man out, despite a decent return over the last month.
In November, Boucher averaged 7.4 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 0.8 assists per game in just over 15 minutes per game. He was vital in sustaining the Raptors decent rebounding numbers over that stretch and accumulated three double-doubles in that time.
Ibaka returned on Sunday night against the Utah Jazz (more on him later) and that looks to have spelled the end of Boucher in an extended role for the meantime, he played just five minutes against the Jazz in the blowout victory and then didn’t step foot on the court against the Miami Heat.
Without Ibaka, the Raptors’ frontcourt depth was a little thin. But with him, it gets a little bit stronger and Boucher is no longer a beneficiary. He impressed when he saw the court, though, so maybe there’s more for him in the future.
For now, he looks to be a garbage time option.
VERDICT: STOCK DOWN