Chris Boucher – Toronto Raptors

Keeping the idea of adding frontcourt talent relevant, one of the more underrated power-forwards/centers who could be available ahead of this year’s trade deadline is Raptors’ big man Chris Boucher. Since joining the Raptors ahead of the 2018-19 season, Boucher has constantly been improving in Toronto’s frontcourt and had a breakout season last year. 

In 60 games during the 2020-21 season, Chris Boucher averaged 13.6 points, 6.7 rebounds, 1.9 blocks, and shot 51.4% from the floor, 38.3% from three-point range. Being a lengthy, agile big man makes the 28-year-old a versatile player in this league and someone who could have an immediate impact off the bench. 

In fact, Boucher ranked 13th in the league last season in total points scored off-the-bench and he even missed 12 games during the regular season! Being in the final year of his contract and owed just $7M, he is definitely a viable frontcourt option for teams around the league to target, but why would Toronto want to give him up? 

Chris Boucher has been impactful for the Raptors to this point in his career, but they have younger guys in OG Anunoby, Precious Achiuwa, and now rookie Scottie Barnes who has seemed to surpass Boucher on the team’s depth chart. 

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Seeing as his minutes have decreased so far this season and the Raptors are getting production from others, they may not want to keep Chris Boucher long-term anymore, especially since they will likely have to pay him over $7M/season to keep him around. 

Moving Boucher in the final year of his contract definitely makes a lot of sense for the Raptors and as for the Blazers, they would be getting a key backup option behind Jusuf Nurkic in their frontcourt. Having the ability to knock down threes and block shots, Chris Boucher is the “Sixth-Man-like” player the Trail Blazers need on their bench.