The Toronto Raptors could be very active at the NBA trade deadline this season given their need to beef up their bench ahead of a potential playoff run. Most of the recent Raptors rumors are centered around power forward Chris Boucher, who will be a free agent after this season.
While Boucher was unplayable in the early parts of the season, he has averaged 12.1 points per game on 50% shooting to go along with 6.9 rebounds per contest. A 28-point, 19-rebound game against the 76ers shows that he is back to the form Toronto saw him reach during his breakout 2020-21 campaign.
With Khem Birch, Precious Achiuwa, and DJ Wilson all fighting for space in the rotation alongside Boucher, Toronto could be inclined to either swap him for a guard that has shooting skill. Perhaps they could recoup some draft picks as they try to get stronger for the future?
If the Raptors decide to flip Boucher before the deadline, they should try to get on the phone with one of these four teams. They could give Toronto a reliable asset to help for the postseason push or throw in some draft capital that could improve their 2022 outlook.
4 trade destinations for Toronto Raptors big Chris Boucher.
4. Sacramento Kings
The Kings have reportedly made everyone except for De’Aaron Fox and Tyrese Haliburton in an effort to remake the roster and go for the postseason. Even if the Kings’ fortunes start to sour, Toronto could look to raid Sacramento in order to claim some of their bench players.
With Marvin Bagley III likely leaving town after this season, why shouldn’t Sacramento get a head start on evaluating a potential replacement? Boucher would certainly be a better defensive option. He’ll be able to be productive without a high usage rate or tons of offensive touches.
Toronto Raptors rumors: The Kings could give up picks for Chris Boucher.
If Sacramento is going to go for it, they are going to need to rework the frontcourt, and Bagley is not going to appease this coaching staff. Maybe swapping Bagley and Jahmi’us Ramsey in exchange for Boucher and Malachi Flynn with some picks heading Toronto’s way could get the job done?
While Toronto might not have enough assets to make a move for either of Sacramento’s star guards or first-round pick Davion Mitchell, they could still strike a deal with Monte McNair and the Kings. On a team without frontcourt depth, Boucher might have a bigger offensive role.
3. Utah Jazz
Raptors fans have found out just how deadly Utah can be in the playoffs. After stomping Toronto when they had most of their big guns and hanging with the Raptors on the road without almost their entire rotation, Quin Snyder and the Jazz proved that they will be a tough out in May and June.
If there is one area where they could stand to improve, it’s the power forward spot. Eric Paschall’s breakout game against Toronto might not be indicative of his long-term potential, Rudy Gay is both old and injured, and Royce O’Neale could give them trouble against bigger lineups.
Toronto Raptors rumors: Chris Boucher would help the Jazz off the bench.
The Jazz have reportedly been shopping Joe Ingles lately. Could Toronto perhaps pull off a two-for-one deal that gets Boucher to Utah? The odds of Boucher returning don’t look very high given the frontcourt logjam, so why not add a knockdown shooter like Ingles?
Boucher’s role in Utah wouldn’t be that much different from what he does in Toronto. With both Snyder and Nick Nurse favoring a switchable defense that places an emphasis on perimeter defense, Boucher could slide right into the Jazz system without a ton of learning time on the job.
2. Chicago Bulls
Former Raptors star DeMar DeRozan and the Bulls are white-hot at the moment, winning nine games in a row and shooting right to the top seed of the Eastern Conference. Despite names like Zach LaVine, Nikola Vucevic, and Lonzo Ball next to DeRozan, the loss of Patrick Williams is still looming large.
Players like Troy Brown Jr. or Derrick Jones Jr. would make sense as headliners in a package for Toronto. Chicago, meanwhile, would get a much-needed frontcourt boost that would make one of the most impressive benches in the league even more deadly on offense.
Toronto Raptors rumors: Chris Boucher could replace Patrick Williams.
Williams provided the Bulls with some leaping ability, defensive versatility, and semi-competent spot-up shooting. While Boucher doesn’t have the raw athletic talent, he could be a valued bench big for a GM in Arturas Karnisovas that is more than willing to part with draft picks to add players he wants.
Chicago’s hot start was not a fluke. The Bulls are absolutely capable of contending for and winning a championship. However, they might need a deeper bench for when the postseason comes around. Adding Boucher at the expense of a player and a pick could help
1. Minnesota Timberwolves
Minnesota makes a ton of sense as a trade partner for Boucher. Not only could they use a power forward with more offensive skills than Jarred Vanderbilt, but they could also give the Raptors wing players like Josh Okogie in exchange. Minnesota might be motivated to make this deal due to the man patrolling the sideline.
Chris Finch was a Raptors assistant for half of last season before the Timberwolves named him as the replacement for Ryan Saunders. It may not be a coincidence that Boucher had his best individual season when Finch was in town for a good chunk of time.
Toronto Raptors rumors: Chris Finch could acquire Chris Boucher.
A lineup with Boucher and Karl-Anthony Towns in the frontcourt to go along with Patrick Beverley, D’Angelo Russell, and Anthony Edwards in the backcourt could help the Timberwolves return to the playoffs as a seventh or eighth seed for the first time in a half-decade.
Minnesota’s desire to break the postseason drought could force them to get overly aggressive at the deadline. Toronto could stand to benefit, as the Raptors could acquire picks and players that help set them up for a 2021-22 playoff run and success in the future.