2 Raptors whose stocks are skyrocketing, 2 that are fading fast

Stock Down: Chris Boucher

Calling Boucher’s stock volatile would be the understatement of the year. After being handed a DNP in the first game of the season, Boucher had some very nice performances as an energy big who spells Jakob Poeltl off the bench. Since then, he has regressed to the mean.

Boucher is averaging 6.2 points and 5.2 rebounds per game. Those numbers are bad enough as they are, but pairing it with a 41% field goal percentage is cringe-inducing. Boucher hasn’t made one of his trademark trebuchet 3-pointers this year, as Rajakovic has him operating exclusively around the paint.

Chris Boucher needs to be more efficient for the Toronto Raptors.

Forced back into action due to nagging injuries sustained by Precious Achiuwa, Boucher isn’t taking well to the role Rajakovic is trying to force him into. Boucher has always been at his best as a versatile chess piece for Nick Nurse, and Rajakovic’s insistence on making him a small-ball big man and rim-runner is failing at the first hurdle.

Boucher has proven to be a slow starter in the last few years, and he’s been a streaky player for his entire Raptors career. Toronto needs to hope this stretch is nothing more than a combination of shaking off the rust and the usual Boucher inconsistency. If he doesn’t take to Rajakovic’s system, a trade might be the only option.