Raptors: 3 most improved players so far in 2020-21 season

No. 1: Chris Boucher

When the stringy Canadian arrived in Toronto, he was an end-of-the-bench player that didn’t end up cracking the rotation in Golden State. Boucher, regarded as the crown jewel of Toronto’s development system, has risen from G League Player of the Year to an energetic big that is the only Raptor capable of consistent inside scoring.

While Boucher is averaging just under two blocks per game in limited action, what really stands out is the fact that he’s become a complete offensive player. His trebuchet-like 3-point shot is successful just under 44 percent of the time, giving the Toronto offense a component that it simply can’t replicate with Aron Baynes on the floor.

Could Boucher win Most Improved Player?

Boucher is averaging 13.9 points and 6.9 rebounds this season, numbers that far exceed the 6.6 points and 4.5 rebounds that he amassed during his first year of extended NBA action. Not only is Boucher the Most Improved Raptor this year, but he might also be the Most Improved Player across the entire NBA.

Boucher has not started a game in his career, but he is quietly becoming one of the best backup big men in the game. If he keeps playing like this, all the while subtly adding more unique facets to his game, he might just end up with some more hardware in his trophy case, which would look great alongside his two championship rings.