B/R pitches gettable Grant Williams replacement for the Boston Celtics
Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley pitched a gettable Grant Williams replacement, or big man depth piece should the Boston Celtics retain the impending restricted free agent, in Toronto Raptors big Chris Boucher.
“The Celtics could probably use another big man regardless what happens with Grant Williams’ venture into restricted free agency,’ Buckley wrote. “Should the versatile forward opt to move on, though, that would exponentially increase that need. If this position becomes a priority, then Chris Boucher could zip to the top of the wish list.”
According to Buckley, Boucher would be an intriguing addition for the Cs — particularly in the event the Raptors franchise undergoes a rebuild in the wake of 2019 NBA championship head coach Nick Nurse.
“(Boucher’s) numbers aren’t the most reliable, but he has become a much more consistent supplier of energy and activity,” Buckley wrote. “His 7’4″ wingspan makes him disruptive around the rim and active on the glass. Tack on a perimeter shot that yielded 90 triples at a 38.3 percent clip two seasons back, and you’re talking about someone who could not only fit this frontcourt but add new dimensions to it. If the Toronto Raptors tilt into any kind of rebuild—they already axed coach Nick Nurse, so stay tuned—the 30-year-old Boucher should be one of the first to go.”
Pitched Boston Celtics Grant Williams trade replacement voiced frustrations with current team
Boucher had criticisms for the way the Raptors bench was utilized during the 2022-23 regular season, voicing them to Yahoo Sports’ Mike Roach in an interview published on April 25.
“I feel like, to be honest with you, if you were to get the chance to watch practice and, you know, the training camp that we had this year, everybody came and would like a difference to their game,” Boucher said. “During the season, I feel like not everybody got those chances. And obviously, that takes out different players, different places.”
While Nurse is gone and Boucher’s problem could theoretically be resolved with a new coach, the Raptors’ front office may view this as an unofficial trade request to justify a full-on roster teardown.