Raptors Rapture
Fansided

Toronto Raptors: 3 players that’ll have an underrated upcoming season

By Joseph Zita

TORONTO, ONTARIO - NOVEMBER 18: Matt Thomas #21 of the Toronto Raptors drives against Devonte' Graham #4 and Marvin Williams #2 of the Charlotte Hornets during their NBA basketball game at Scotiabank Arena on November 18, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. 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 Agreement. (Photo by Mark Blinch/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ONTARIO - NOVEMBER 18: Matt Thomas #21 of the Toronto Raptors drives against Devonte' Graham #4 and Marvin Williams #2 of the Charlotte Hornets during their NBA basketball game at Scotiabank Arena on November 18, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. 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 Agreement. (Photo by Mark Blinch/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 3
Next
Toronto Raptors
Toronto Raptors – Chris Boucher (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /

1. Chris Boucher – 27 years old – PF/C

2019-20 stats – 62 GP – 6.6 PPG – 4.5 RPG – 0.4 APG – .472 FG% – .322 3P% – .784 FT%

Career stats – 91 GP – 5.5 PPG – 3.7 RPG – 0.3 APG – .465 FG% – .321 3P% – .794 FT%

At my number one and final spot on this list of three Toronto Raptors that could have an underrated season in 2021, I have recently re-signed Canadian, Chris Boucher. Boucher will be looking to break out next season as he is going to be given a bigger role on the team for the first time in his young NBA career.

After coming off a season where he set career highs in almost every single statistical category known in basketball, he will be looking to continue the growth as a player and the motivation he got after he signed that contract into the 2020-21 season.

With the departures of Serge Ibaka and Marc Gasol, Chris Boucher will more than likely act as the center coming off the bench as Aron Baynes will probably take the starting position. Although I wouldn’t be surprised at all if we see something similar to what Nick Nurse did with Ibaka and Gasol in recent seasons when he would start one but he would split their minutes almost evenly.

Whether Boucher starts or comes off the bench frequently, he will be taking a giant step in his career as he’s never really been given a chance to succeed as his career-high average for minutes played is 13.2 — which was last season.

Safe to say this coming season we could see the Canadian average north of 20 minutes a night while producing at a great rate on the floor. His production may get overlooked by many because of the other players that are on this Raptors team. Guys such as Lowry, VanVleet, and Siakam will get more of the attention but Boucher should just continue to grow as a player and let his game do the talking.

Overlooked or not if Boucher takes a major step in his development it’ll obviously be a win-win for the team and the player, especially after losing two key centers this off-season in free agency. (Stats from Basketball-Reference.com)

Next. Should the Raptors offer OG Anunoby a contract extension?. dark

Do you think that there’s a possibility any of these three players have underrated seasons in 2021? If not, who do you think?

Home/Raptors News