The Boston Celtics signed Chris Boucher to a one-year veteran minimum contract in the offseason, but the veteran big man quickly became unplayable. The two-time NBA champion hasn’t appeared in a game since Nov. 23, and Boston’s biggest need is a center upgrade. They are surprisingly in contention without Jayson Tatum, and could be aggressive in making moves before the Feb. 5 trade deadline.
Boucher was a strong backup big man in Toronto for years, but the 32-year-old seemingly lost a step. He averaged 2.3 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 0.9 blocks in 11.4 minutes per game over eight contests this season. He shot just 31.8 percent from the field and rates as a replacement-level player by VORP. Joe Mazzulla quickly pulled him from the rotation, and there are zero reasons to think the big man will earn a consistent role moving forward.
Boucher’s Boston tenure is filled with regret, but the Celtics have to choose a direction. Do they dodge the luxury tax or try to build a contender around Jayson Tatum when he returns from injury? Either path may have the same ending for Boucher.
Chris Boucher may have already played his final game with the Celtics
Mazzulla has given Boucher nine straight DNPs, and the big man has played in just two of Boston’s last 18 games. The Celtics are 6-3 over their last nine. They have no reason to insert Boucher, especially after the veteran struggled so mightily on defense when given the shot early in the season.
The Celtics completely remade their big man group this season. They traded Kristaps Porzingis before letting Al Horford and Luke Kornet leave in free agency. It vaulted Neemias Queta from fourth string to starter and opened the door for multiple additions. None of those new players have exceeded expectations, and this is an area where the Celtics would love to acquire another trusted option before Tatum returns.
Boston must choose a direction before the deadline. They are $4 million over the first apron and $12 million above the luxury tax line. The Celtics could still treat this as a gap year and get below those figures with an Anfernee Simons trade. The team’s early season success may also push them to trade for a big man and maximize their odds of winning a wide open Eastern Conference.
Either way, they should dump Chris Boucher in the process. The 32-year-old big man is not part of the rotation, and there is no path to getting back in. This signing was an absolute bust. The Celtics hoped his 3-point shooting improvements were real, but the veteran quickly became unplayable. He had struggled to stay in the rotation for the Raptors last season, so it can’t come as a total shock.
The Boston Celtics will likely dump Boucher before the Feb. 5 trade deadline, and the veteran big man may have already played his final game with the franchise. It only took eight appearances for Joe Mazzulla and the coaching staff to lose trust. Boucher’s only path to more playing time with the Celtics is multiple injuries or a blowout where Mazzulla gives everyone some burn. More likely, Boucher is done in Boston, and his next minutes come with another franchise.