When Boston Celtics forward Chris Boucher signed with the team back on August 5, there was excitement about his potential role with this team. Boucher’s three-point shooting and length made him an interesting candidate for minutes, possibly even as a starter.
Four months later, Boucher has racked up seven DNP-CDs in a row and has only appeared in two of Boston’s last 15 games. It’s clear that the 32-year-old forward has fallen out of Joe Mazzulla’s rotation as the team continues to pile up wins.
He hasn’t been great in his limited opportunities, but his lack of playing time has just as much to do with how well those around him have played as it does with his lack of production.
Trading Boucher could give him a fresh start and help the Celtics dodge the luxury tax
Trading Boucher wouldn’t be the sole move needed to accomplish that, but he could serve as a secondary pathway to doing so. His $2.3 million salary isn’t difficult for another team to absorb in a deal, nor would it be overly difficult to get someone to take a chance on him.
When Jordan Walsh, Josh Minott, Baylor Scheierman, and Hugo Gonzalez all seem better suited for the rotation minutes at forward, it just doesn’t make sense for Mazzulla to call Boucher’s number. Plus, he hasn’t fared well as a small-ball five because he doesn’t have the strength to compete with most NBA centers.
Alas, Boucher has averaged just 2.3 points and 2.3 rebounds per outing across eight appearances for the Celtics, while shooting 32% from the field and 8% from beyond the arc.
Fortunately for Boston and Boucher, he’ll become trade-eligible next week on Dec. 15. The Celtics could look to move him in a cost-cutting trade if they’re still interested in trying to avoid the luxury tax.
If they managed to trade Boucher for a second-round pick, while moving Anfernee Simons for Ivica Zubac, which some have speculated, then they’d clear enough money to avoid being a luxury tax team this season.
Dodging the tax this year would ironically be a luxury for the Cs. It would make it so if Boston once again stays beneath the tax line next season, they’d be free of the repeater tax penalties.
From Boucher’s perspective, a move elsewhere would likely be a welcome sight, too. Sure, it’s probably fun to be a part of a winning team, but, as someone who’s playing for his next contract, sitting on the bench in Boston doesn’t do much for him.