Hardwood Houdini
Fansided

Boston Celtics trade target would provide team what Luke Kornet currently doesn't

A top Boston Celtics trade target would provide the Cs with what Luke Kornet currently doesn't, says one analyst.

By Andrew Hughes

Mar 28, 2022; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors forward Chris Boucher (25) goes up to make a
Mar 28, 2022; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors forward Chris Boucher (25) goes up to make a / John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
facebooktwitterreddit

Larry Brown Sports' Darryn Albert believes top Boston Celtics trade target Chris Boucher would provide the Cs with what Luke Kornet currently does not: legitimate floor-spacing from an offensive repertoire beyond five feet and legitimate rim protection.

"These days, Boucher still doesn’t get many minutes for the now-rebuilding Raptors (a miniscule 14.2 per game off the bench this season)," Albert prefaced before saying, "But he is a strong shot-blocker and a switchable overall defender who also has at least some ability to space the floor with a three-point jumper. That is something the Celtics do not quite have with their current third big man, Luke Kornet."

Jake Fischer of Yahoo! Sports shared his intel that Boston was in on Boucher during the “Ball Don’t Lie” podcast.

“Chris Boucher… is someone I know the Celtics have liked for a while," Fischer prefaced before saying, "He’s at $11.7 million.”

Luke Kornet rebounding deficiencies back-breaking for Boston Celtics this season: Analyst

In November, NBC Sports Boston's Chris Forsberg revealed the C's plan to find a more suitable third center to replace Kornet's role in Joe Mazzulla's rotation.

"The Celtics’ lack of pure size is well-documented," Forsberg prefaced before saying, "The team is leaning heavy on 37-year-old Al Horford and the oft-injured Kristaps Porzingis. That has thrust Luke Kornet into a hefty role, and Boston’s defensive rebound rate is a team-worst 69.6 when he’s on the court.

"We’ve long suspected the Celtics will examine options to add big-man depth before the trade deadline, if only to help ease the burden on their centers during the regular season. Kornet has had encouraging moments but second-chance opportunities have felt like back-breakers at times this season -- particularly when opponents are chipping away at runs."

Boston's front office has wanted upgrades all season, and MassLive's Brian Robb revealed on January 8 that the Cs could plan to move on from Kornet's, or any of the other non-guaranteed deals despite being guaranteed by Brad Stevens and Co.

Home/Celtics News