The Toronto Raptors had another abysmal season last year, but instead of making major changes this summer they appear ready to see what Brandon Ingram and better health have for the franchise. The only major move they appear to have made is the absence of one: Chris Boucher does not appear to be coming back.
The 2019 Toronto Raptors were not only the best team in franchise history, winning the championship over an injured but still formidable Golden State Warriors team, but it was beloved by basketball fans everywhere. The collection of hard-working skilled players surrounding Kawhi Leonard, many of them late draft picks or even undrafted altogether, captured the hearts of many fans and media members.
That team slowly dissolved over the coming years. Leonard signed with the LA Clippers that summer, Serge Ibaka, Marc Gasol and Danny Green ultimately left and are now aged out of the league. Kyle Lowry made his way to Philadelphia via Miami. OG Anunoby and Pascal Siakam were traded to East contenders. Fred VanVleet walked in free agency and signed a lucrative contract with the Houston Rockets who could be an NBA Finals team next season.
Even Masai Ujiri, the architect of that team, and head coach Nick Nurse are no longer with the franchise. The Raptors have essentially turned over the entire championship roster in the last six years.
The lone remaining member of the 2019 title team was Chris Boucher, a shot-blocking, 3-point chucking lanky big man who stuck around as a bench piece on multiple iterations of the Raptors over the last half-decade. Now, however, his time in Toronto appears to be officially over.
The Raptors no longer want Chris Boucher
The Toronto Raptors have made it clear they are not planning to bring back Chris Boucher. They made a long-term commitment to Jakob Poeltl, signing him to a lucrative new contract extension, and brought in free agent center Sandro Mamukelashvili. While the former Spurs big doesn't have Boucher's length and shot-blocking prowess, his comfort shooting the 3 is a signal that Toronto views him as a Boucher replacement.
The Raptors also drafted combo big Collin Murray-Boyles with the No. 9 pick in the draft, a player whose length and defensive acumen may lead to a smallball center role long-term. The same goes for last year's draft pick Jonathan Mogbo.
That is a lot of bigs for one roster, and it means the space for Boucher to return has evaporated. It is technically possible for the Raptors to bring him back, and given his market appears to be at the minimum it would not cost them anything more than a roster spot to do so.
There are a number of teams that could use a stretch big to bring in off the bench. Replacing Mamukelashvilli in San Antonio seemed like a possibility before they traded for Kelly Olynyk. The Golden State Warriors, with whom Boucher began his career, seem locked into Al Horford. Larry Nance Jr. went to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Yet other teams remain. The Atlanta Hawks need another big man. The Charlotte Hornets need anyone to play center. The Los Angeles Lakers could use a stretch big for a different look. The New York Knicks could as well.
Returning to Toronto does not appear to be in the card. The Raptors have made it crystal clear that they are going in another direction, putting the final nail in the coffin of the 2019 Championship Team.