Celtics' latest signing addresses crucial questions about Boston's future

The Boston Celtics signed Chris Boucher to a guaranteed one-year, $3.3 million contract, per ESPN's Shams Charania. The former Toronto Raptors center is expected to have a significant role with his new team.

Boucher is coming off a campaign where he averaged 10 points and 4.5 rebounds in 17.2 minutes of floor time across 50 games. He shot 36.3 percent on 3.9 three-point attempts last season. The eight-year veteran has blocked nearly 1.0 shots per contest in his career.

The six-foot-nine center's length and athleticism make him an effective rim-protector. That and his ability to space the floor are his two standout skills that make him such an intriguing addition.

He leaves the Raptors ranking sixth in blocks and 10th in rebounds. He is also the all-time franchise leader in points, rebounds, blocks, minutes, and games played off the bench. He was the last remaining player from their 2019 NBA title team.

The 32-year-old from Saint Lucia is a defensive complement to the more offense-oriented Luka Garza. Both figure to enter the season behind Neemias Queta. Xavier Tillman Sr. is also on the depth chart and eager to bounce back after a disappointing year, mostly spent on the bench.

While Boucher can pop behind the three-point line, he also represents a lob threat that his new pick-and-roll partners will love. Defenses having to respect him as a vertical threat can also create quality looks from beyond the arc for his teammates.

Furthermore, he can put the ball on the floor and get close enough to the rim for his athleticism to take over.

The former Oregon Duck also gets to reunite with Payton Pritchard. The two teamed in Eugene in 2016-17. The Ducks staged a Final Four run that season. Unfortunately, Boucher tore his ACL in the Pac-12 Tournament that year.

What signing Chris Boucher likely signals

Boucher's signing leaves the Celtics with one open roster spot. More moves could come. However, one would think that it is unlikely to include the signing of free agent Ben Simmons.

The three-time All-Star recently turned 29. From an age, potential upside, and projected cost standpoint, signing him was a low-risk, appealing option.

Perhaps Boston isn't as interested in Simmons as initially reported. Maybe he crossed them off his list, or both parties decided they preferred to look elsewhere.

Regardless of the why, the odds of signing Boucher and Simmons are low.

Entering a gap year, the Celtics want to gain flexibility. Tuesday, they traded Georges Niang and two future second-round draft picks to the Utah Jazz for RJ Luis Jr., per ESPN's Shams Charania.

Luis was on a two-way deal with the Jazz after going undrafted. He averaged 18.2 points and 7.2 rebounds at St. John's last season. Before that, he played at UMass Amherst.

After that move and signing Boucher, the Celtics reduced their tax bill from $73.1 million to $39.5 million, per Spotrac. They are $7.8 million below the second apron and $4.0 million over the first.

Between signing Boucher to bolster Boston's depth at the pivot and acquiring a player on a two-way contract, there is concern about Amari Williams's place with the franchise.

The former Kentucky center may no longer be poised to sign a two-way deal with the Celtics. Despite his suddenly cloudy future with the organization, they have his draft rights. Going elsewhere would require their cooperation.

This author believes that, as Mike Zarren, their vice president of basketball operations, said was the plan after drafting him, the most likely outcome is that he will join the team on a two-way deal.

Williams fits what teams are looking for from a modern center. However, the rookie has a long way to go in his development at both ends of the floor. Boucher is a veteran option. While the latter arrives in Boston on a one-year deal, he'll have an opportunity to show the Celtics why he's worth keeping around as they work their way back to title contention.