It seems like every trade deadline, for as long as he's been rumored to be expendable, Raptors veteran forward Chris Boucher somehow always survives to see another day.
Even if he's not a superstar and sometimes struggles to get playing time, Boucher has secured his place as one of the Raptors' most unsung heroes in the modern era. His hustle, energy, and ability to gain a three-point shooting spark seemingly from out of nowhere; these qualities have become synonymous with le numéro vingt-cinq.
Raptors fans were treated to a delight this past January when Boucher went on a crazy tear, and it appeared to unfold as the perfect fairy tale ending to his time in the Six. The 32-year-old was reportedly gaining traction from different contenders across the league, as he was quickly proving an old dog could still learn new tricks.
As Boucher's contract neared its end and the Raptors shifted their focus to youth, it seemed almost certain that the last familiar face from the 2019 championship run would be leaving, a bittersweet farewell. When the February 6 deadline arrived, only veterans Bruce Brown, Kelly Olynyk, and Davion Mitchell were traded from the franchise. These players were also arguably more expendable, lacking a significant, established history with the Raptors, unlike Boucher; they were essentially here for a good time, not a long time.
So, what's the word with Boucher now? He's going to remain a Raptor, at least until the end of the 2024-25 campaign, but it seems Toronto played its cards with a plan in mind regarding his future, right?
What will the Toronto Raptors do next with veteran Chris Boucher?
As the rumors suggested, the Raptors had a ton of suitors ready to trade for Boucher, but their decision to keep him signals that he's staying around for the long term. Adding to that, a Jake Fischer report, released before the trade deadline buzz, indicated that Boucher was considering a contract extension to remain in Toronto, and the franchise was reportedly open to the idea as well, based on his stellar play up to that point.
Early in the season, watching the Raptors play an NBA Cup matchup against the Detroit Pistons, I realized how the presence of quality veterans who can produce, regardless of which end of the floor, offense or defense, can make or break a team's success. I saw a lack of on-court leadership and experience in their rotation: although they were making progress with young talent, there were no real veterans available at that point (Bruce Brown and Kelly Olynyk were unavailable), and Boucher had yet to be a regular part of the lineup.
While teams approach free agency with these considerations, why not reward a player like Boucher, who has demonstrated complete loyalty, by including him in the rotation as a seasoned veteran capable of igniting on any given night?
This thought process was undoubtedly employed by Toronto, especially given the franchise's history of difficulty attracting free agents from across the border. Boucher brings significant veteran experience, and now, with the Raptors opting for a retool rather than a complete rebuild—particularly after the acquisition of Brandon Ingram—the team will certainly have a role for Boucher in the future; and I am confident he will embrace any expectations placed upon him.
The only question now is the number Toronto decides to extend Boucher on, as he's due for a new contract. Despite the Raptors' growing salary cap situation, Bobby Webster already mentioned in the post-deadline scrum that the franchise isn't overly worried about exceeding it. They would certainly be open to giving Boucher his monetary due, and hopefully, it won't be too much of an overpay, allowing for roster flexibility should the team want to maximize its ability to start competing again as early as next year.