The Toronto Raptors have several big-name free agents that could decide to leave the squad, with Chris Boucher chief among them. The stingy big man is ready to cash in with a multi-year contract after the last two seasons of providing heart and hustle off the Toronto bench.
Boucher has averaged 11.2 points and 6.4 rebounds per game over the last two seasons, putting him in a prime position to finally get the well-compensated deal that he has been seeking for the previous few seasons. Boucher might not return to Toronto if the Raptors find a cheaper alternative.
Boucher has already proven to be a bench presence that can contribute to a team with an eye on a deep postseason run. Some of Toronto’s foes in the Eastern Conference are likely to have taken notice of Boucher and how he could effortlessly slide into their rotation.
The Raptors might want to bring Boucher back, but they will have competition from some Eastern Conference teams that may impede Toronto’s progress. Seeing Boucher leave and immediately benefit one of Toronto’s main enemies could be very tough to watch for Masai Ujiri.
3. Chicago Bulls
The Bulls might be having the slightest bit of buyer’s remorse, as they gave away multiple first-round picks for a player in Nikola Vucevic that did not play like an All-Star. Patrick Williams’ injury only made the situation in the frontcourt worse now that the No. 4 pick has durability concerns.
Boucher won’t be in the starting lineup with Chicago, but he likely won’t be asked to carry a considerable load. Coming off the bench and providing that same blend of relentless speed and versatility will make Chicago’s second unit deep enough to kickstart a playoff run.
The Bulls would have use for Chris Boucher.
The Bulls were fourth in the league in 3-point percentage last season, so that offensive staff might be able to get him back on the right track after a down season last year. If his shooting gets fixed, Boucher could easily average in the double digits as one of the team’s principal reserves.
Chicago will likely try to keep Zach LaVine in the backcourt and use whatever financial freedom they have left to address the lack of depth behind Vucevic. Boucher would be one heck of a godsend for Chicago, much to the chagrin of his old teammates north of the border.
2. Milwaukee Bucks
The Bucks have the mercurial Giannis Antetokounmpo to make up for some of the more noteworthy flaws on the roster. His talent was one of the main reasons the Bucks were as competitive as they were despite a severe lack of depth in the frontcourt this season.
Bobby Portis could be a free agent if he does not pick up his player option, and Brook Lopez has been exceedingly unreliable as his age has increased. Milwaukee has leaned on their bench to help separate from the rest of the East’s contenders, and Boucher could keep that unit firing.
Toronto Raptors: Chris Boucher will be a nice seventh man for the Bucks.
Considering how Milwaukee has become a semi-haven for ring-chasers looking to ride the coattails of Giannis, Thad Young could end up with the Bucks. If Milwaukee opts for a slightly younger option who could be a more effective perimeter option, Boucher could be on his way down.
The Bucks have been a reasonably solid organization from top to bottom, even if you exclude the last few years of Giannis. Boucher was wildly inconsistent last year, but he might be able to get back on the right track with Milwaukee’s parade of scorers around him.
1. Miami Heat
While Toronto has a very difficult style of basketball to replicate given how unique their roster is, Miami’s chaotic defense is close enough schematically to the point where players like Boucher are considered even more valuable. Imagine him coming off the bench to spell Bam Adebayo.
While Markeiff Morris and PJ Tucker have had some fantastic individual moments in Miami, both of them are getting older. Boucher might turn 30 in the middle of next season, but he is a spring chicken when compared to these two greybeards. A three-year deal in excess of $12 million per year should be adequate value.
Toronto Raptors: Chris Boucher would fit in nicely on the Miami Heat.
With a parade of 3-point shooters captained by Tyler Herro and enough Bam Adebayo-led quality on the interior, Boucher won’t have a ton on his plate with the Heat. All he’ll have to do to justify the contract is play like his hair is on fire when he’s on defense and convert on some wide-open shots offensively.
If Kyle Lowry was impressed by what he saw from Boucher in the Tampa season, he could put in a good word with Erik Spoelstra and Pat Riley. With the signing of Boucher, Miami could keep their title-contending chances alive as they transition away from Morris and Tucker in the next few years.