Chris Boucher's journey from G League MVP to NBA champion has made him a valuable asset for the Toronto Raptors.
Although he did not play a role in the historic title run, his ongoing presence with the team has made him the last remaining piece representing the previous generation of Toronto Raptors.
Unfortunately for Boucher enthusiasts, there are strong indications that his time with the Toronto Raptors may be coming to an end soon.
Boucher started the season strong, demonstrating his experience by consistently boosting the team's energy during tough moments. He has proven to be a reliable hustle player for the team, which has been his hallmark throughout his tenure with the Raptors.
Boucher experienced a promising start to the new year, showing a resurgence after going largely unnoticed during last season when he was often sidelined as a DNP under new head coach Darko Rajakovic.
Fast forward to two months into the 2024-25 Raptors season, and Boucher has primarily resumed his role as a bottom of the rotation bench player, spending much of his time without touching the court. The recent returns of fellow Canadian Kelly Olynyk and the emergence of rookies like Jamison Battle and Jonathan Mogbo have made playing time a lesser priority for the 31-year-old.
Chris Boucher is undeniably a valuable contributor in the NBA, and his skills could enhance numerous teams throughout the league. With a robust showing in this season's games, he has demonstrated sufficient value to warrant trade consideration.
Which NBA teams might be interested in Boucher's services? Let's dive in and explore the possible trade suitors.
Los Angeles Clippers
Despite losing Paul George in the offseason and facing another injury setback with Kawhi Leonard, the Los Angeles Clippers have shown they can remain competitive despite these challenges.
It was difficult to envision the Clippers making any significant impact in the highly competitive Western Conference, especially with a core roster comprised of James Harden, Ivica Zubac, Norman Powell, and a mix of role players.
To the surprise of many, this combination proved effective, with Norman Powell's career year early in the season standing out as a highlight of the Clippers' 2024-25 campaign.
However, the Clippers are far from perfect. When Kawhi Leonard returns—whenever that may be—it will be crucial for them to strengthen certain aspects of their game and distinguish between essential rotational players and those who are more expendable.
Veteran PJ Tucker is currently inactive from team activities, so why not leverage his contract, along with a second-round pick or an underutilized young player, to acquire quality veteran Chris Boucher?
Boucher could seamlessly integrate into the Clippers' scheme, which is certainly preferable to having a player who isn't contributing to the team at all. For the Raptors, they have the option to either buy out Tucker's contract or simply let it expire. Overall, it’s a win-win situation for both parties: sending Boucher to a playoff-contending team while gaining some form of value in return.
Dallas Mavericks
Next, we turn our attention to the Dallas Mavericks, a team fresh off their 2024 NBA Finals run in the Western Conference.
Dallas will always be a contender when led by the star-studded guard duo of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, supported by some of the league's most impactful role players. At last year's trade deadline, they made one of the best moves in recent history by acquiring PJ Washington Jr. and Daniel Gafford, both of whom proved to be pivotal in their playoff run.
While Chris Boucher may not reach the same level as those players, he is a proven veteran with championship experience, and he fits well with the style of basketball that Dallas plays.
Dallas hasn't received much production from Maxi Kleber this season, and they could consider trading his contract along with a second-round pick to acquire an upgrade at the same position, potentially in Chris Boucher. Moreover, Masai Ujiri might work his trade magic again to acquire more Canadian players for the roster, potentially bringing in Dwight Powell or Olivier Maxence-Prosper.
Oklahoma City Thunder
This one is just a no-brainer.
The Thunder were severely lacking in big man depth after losing Isaiah Hartenstein to a lengthy injury recovery. To address this, they signed Branden Carlson from Raptors 905.
Now that Hartenstein is back, it's a great boost for the team. However, Oklahoma City is still missing Chet Holmgren and Jaylin Williams. J-Will and Boucher's gameplay is quite similar, so the Thunder could offset some of the loss in his absence by acquiring a player who closely matches that archetype.
Veteran Kenrich Williams, while a capable defender and contributor, would likely need to serve as a salary match in any hypothetical trade. Additionally, there may be draft picks involved, or Toronto could simply be interested in acquiring Williams outright.
Once again, Masai Ujiri’s knack for executing favorable trades for the Toronto Raptors comes into play, particularly with 21-year-old French forward Ousmane Dieng, who perfectly fits his player profile.
Ujiri might explore opportunities to acquire Dieng, especially since he doesn't appear to be a priority in Oklahoma City's developmental plans and their title window allows little room for patience. Toronto could be the ideal environment for Dieng to flourish, making him a valuable asset to consider.