Toronto Raptors fans came to love former power forward Chris Boucher, as his rise from unheralded G League product to NBA champion and key role player defied all logic and expectations. However, the Canadian-bred big man may have come to terms with the fact that his NBA career is just about wrapped up.
Boucher, who will turn 34 in January, has agreed to a deal to play in China with the Shanghai Sharks. In order to make room for Boucher, former NBA rim-runner JaVale McGee was waived. This comes after Boucher mustered just nine games for the Boston Celtics last season.
While Boucher is joining perhaps the toast of the proverbial town in China, as Shanghai has started the year 7-1 off strong performances from former NBA guards D'Angelo Russell and Brandon Goodwin, this move shows that NBA interest in the former Raptors developmental success story has all but dried up.
Former Toronto Raptors stud Chris Boucher joins Shanghai Sharks in China
Boucher's life story would be rejected by Hollywood for being too unrealistic. After dropping out of high school at 16 and working as a dishwasher, Boucher turned a one-in-a-million spot on an AAU and a junior college stint into an Oregon tenure that was so impressive that the Golden State Warriors added him despite an ACL injury.
Boucher eventually made his way back to Canada by way of a two-way contract with the Raptors. Boucher would win G League MVP and Defensive Player of the Year concurrently, all while playing in 28 games for Toronto's 2018-19 champions. Boucher became the only Canadian to win a title on the Raptors.
Boucher's playing time would gradually tick upward after this season, with the 2020 and 2021 seasons serving as his apex. Boucher's high-energy style helped him average 11.2 points and 6.4 rebounds per game in those two seasons, all while giving Toronto enough of an offensive cushion to let a young Scottie Barnes find his way in the pros.
Chris Boucher is a Toronto Raptors success story
However, problems started to arise after that run. Between Boucher's regression as a 3-point shooter, the addition of a rival player at the same position in Precious Achiuwa, and his propensity to let it fly when he was on the floor often clashing with a team who wanted to transition into a Barnes-led unit, his playing time was reduced.
Boucher's seven-year run in Toronto didn't end on the best note; such tenures rarely do. However, his career embodied what it meant to be a Raptor during the peak of the Masai Ujiri era. He came from humble beginnings, worked his tail off to get to where he is, and ended up being rewarded with a championship ring and generational wealth.
Given how Boucher has defied the odds at every possible turn, it would not be a surprise at all if he was able to put up such gaudy numbers in China that he is able to force his way back into the NBA for one last ride.
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