We’re just under a month away from the Feb. 5 NBA Trade Deadline. For the first time in what feels like forever, there’s real speculation that the Boston Celtics will actually make a mid-season move.
In years past, they’ve always been too complete to really fathom shaking things up midway through a season. Even this year, they’re outperforming expectations despite their “weakened roster,” so much so that any major trade is beginning to feel like it should be off the table.
That doesn’t mean minor moves can’t be in the cards for Boston.
Veteran forward Chris Boucher feels like the most likely candidate for a mid-season move. He’s hardly played this season, after signing onto a veteran minimum contract back in August. With the uncertainty surrounding the rotation at the time, there was speculation that he’d have a solid bench role, or even a spot in the starting lineup.
That, of course, has not been the case.
The former Toronto Raptor has taken the floor just eight times for Boston. He hasn’t played in over a month at this point, last checking in on Nov. 23 against the Orlando Magic.
From his perspective, a change in scenery could buy him an extra season or two in the league. At 33, wasting away on the Celtics bench doesn’t really do him any good. Maybe if he were to be moved, he’d get ample playing time to earn another contract.
ESPN floats Boucher mock trade to the Suns
ESPN’s Kevin Pelton recently pitched an ideal landing spot for Boucher, labeling the Phoenix Suns as a team that could use additional depth at the forward spot.
“Just over the luxury tax line, the Suns have a chance to get out entirely by moving backup center Nick Richards, who has fallen to third on the depth chart,” Peloton wrote. “If they make that move and create a roster spot, they could address the backup 4 position, which has been troublesome this season. Celtics forward Chris Boucher's contract would be ideally priced at the minimum, and the Celtics would likely pay his remaining salary given their tax concerns. Boucher hasn't been a fit in Boston but was a valuable reserve in Toronto for many years.”
Unfortunately, due to the league’s first-apron rules, the Celtics wouldn’t be able to make a one-for-one swap for Richards. As a first-apron team, they’re unable to take back more salary than they’re sending out in a trade. Richards’ $5 million is nearly double Boucher’s veteran minimum contract.
Boston would either have to send out a second player on a minimum contract, likely Xavier Tillman Sr. or Josh Minott, or a third team would have to get involved to take on Richards’ expiring contract.
Either avenue isn’t completely unfathomable, but it’s more difficult than you’d like for such a minor move.
As Pelton mentioned, Richards has essentially fallen out of the rotation in Phoenix. He’s appeared in 26 games this season, averaging just 3.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 0.5 blocks per outing. Plus, he shoots just 47.8% from the field, which is pretty low for a guy who doesn’t take any three-pointers.
If the Celtics were to bring him back in a trade, they’d likely do so as an insurance-type move, in case either Neemias Queta or Luka Garza needs to miss time. Even then, it would make more sense for them to just start playing Minott again, as he served as a small-ball center for most of November.