The Toronto Raptors appear to have run out of patience for big man Chris Boucher. After emerging as one of the few players who managed to take a major step forward in the Disney bubble, Boucher’s play has regressed to the point that he was benched during a loss against the Celtics.
Boucher went from a legitimate Sixth Man of the Year contender in Tampa to someone that has been a complete non-factor on both ends this year. He’s been getting bullied in the paint, and his much-improved 3-point shot has evaporated into thin air.
If Masai Ujiri wants to trade some pieces to shake this rotation up, Boucher may be on the move. A free agent at the end of this year, Toronto could either flip him for some late draft picks or use his salary as a filler to sweeten a larger trade. Some team will be enticed enough by 2020-21 to take on the task of rehabilitating him.
If Ujiri thinks that this team requires a major shake-up, look for Boucher to be on the move before the deadline. Boucher still has plenty to offer as a scorer if he gets back on track, and that could entice one of these three teams to give Toronto some long-term assets in exchange for the skinny power forward.
3 teams that could trade for Toronto Raptors forward Chris Boucher
3. Minnesota Timberwolves
Former Raptors assistant Chris Finch, who helped mold Boucher into a stud last year, has done a solid job in Minnesota. The combination of Karl-Anthony Towns, Anthony Edwards, and D’Angelo Russell have the Wolves on the fringes of the postseason. Minnesota has not been a buyer very often in recent years, but that could change this season.
The power forward spot has been an issue for the Wolves this season. Jarred Vanderbilt hasn’t put up gaudy offensive numbers and Taurean Prince is struggling to get any minutes at all. Jaden McDaniels appears to be a fine backup, but nothing more. Could Boucher give them some scoring punch at the 4-spot?
Could the Toronto Raptors flip Chris Boucher to Minnesota?
The Timberwolves could send the Raptors a few wing players in exchange. Josh Okogie is a former first-round pick and a quality defender, but his offense hasn’t impressed Finch. Jake Layman went from a rotation mainstay to an afterthought that could get some new life in Toronto.
If the Raptors want to get aggressive and throw another piece in the mix, that could make the Wolves consider how attached they are to Naz Reid or first-rounder Leandro Bolmaro. Finch has experience getting the most out of Boucher, and he could hand the Raptors
2. New Orleans Pelicans
The Pelicans appear to be on the verge of another lost season. With 2020-21 All-Star Zion Williamson on the sidelines due to injuries, Willie Green and New Orleans appear to be headed for yet another lost season that will feature some trades at the deadline.
If players like Jaxson Hayes or even Josh Hart become available in another New Orleans fire sale, Boucher might be the most tradeable asset on the Raptors. Goran Dragic would likely turn down the chance to play for a tanking team, so Boucher could find a new home down in Louisiana.
The Raptors could trade Chris Boucher to add assets from the Pelicans.
Herbert Jones has been very impressive for a second-round pick. He and Boucher could form a solid 1-2 punch off the bench behind Williamson and Jonas Valanciunas. The Pelicans would be more than willing to give him some consistent minutes off of the bench after losing his spot in Toronto.
Executives like David Griffin may find it hard to believe that Boucher just forgot how to play basketball after such an encouraging season last year. On a New Orleans team that is not going to win a ton of games, Boucher can show off for prospective teams willing to give him a contract this offseason.
1. Chicago Bulls
Boucher might not look like a very desirable asset for contenders at the moment due to how poorly he has played. However, a team like Chicago will try anything and everything to bolster their frontcourt, and that could mean parting with draft capital to acquire Boucher.
Patrick Williams, the No. 4 overall pick in 2020, is out for the foreseeable future with an injury. Nikola Vucevic has not played like the All-Star he was in Orlando. Arturas Karnisovas has shown he is willing to be ultra-aggressive to fix some of their holes, which could prompt a Boucher trade.
The Bulls could snag Toronto Raptors big Chris Boucher to add depth.
Chicago could package some of their future picks or add a player like Derrick Jones Jr. in the deal to make sure Toronto is fairly compensated. Boucher may not change Chicago’s offense, but he should be a quality backup for them if Billy Donovan can get him back in a groove.
The Bulls are going to be a playoff team this season, but they are by no means perfect, especially when Vucevic isn’t living up to the hype. Boucher would go a long way towards correcting that flaw and turning things around.