NBA Free agency: Chris Boucher re-signs with Toronto Raptors on 2-year deal

The Toronto Raptors have assuaged their frontcourt concerns partly by bringing back G-League graduate Chris Boucher. The power forward/center is their only big man signing of the offseason.

Chris Boucher has agreed to a two-year, $13.5M deal to stay with the Toronto Raptors, his agent Sam Permut of @RocNationSports tells ESPN.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 23, 2020

Chris Boucher went undrafted in 2017 after spending the final 2 years of his college career with the Oregon Ducks.

At a slender 200 pounds for a player supposed to be playing a frontcourt role, he was considered not ready for the NBA physically. An ACL injury during his final NCAA season put paid to his hopes of getting picked.

The Golden State Warriors picked him up on a two-way contract, sending him to the Santa Cruz Warriors – their G-League affiliate. He turned out for the Warriors towards the end of the season, and collected a championship ring.

Read Also: Report: Marc Gasol signs with Los Angeles Lakers to play with LeBron, taking starting role from JaVale McGee

Boucher’s tenure at Toronto

After being waived by the Warriors for the 2018-19 season, Masai Ujiri took him on a two-way contract, sending him to the Raptors 905. Boucher was mightily impressive during his time in the developmental league, taking after Pascal Siakam in winning the G-League MVP award.

Boucher played 28 games of the 2018-19 season for the Raptors, who embarked on a mazy championship run. Although Boucher wasn’t put to use in the playoff run, he improved their depth chart a lot.

He came into his own last season, emerging as a viable option at the stretch 5 or stretch 4 positions for the Raptors. In limited game time, Boucher showed off his ability to stretch the floor for the Raptors’ starting unit when played with them.

But Boucher’s frailness meant that he wasn’t considered seriously for their playoff run, appearing only in blowout wins. With Serge Ibaka and Marc Gasol now gone from the team, this is the time for the youngster to shine. He will, however, need a real big man beside him to unlock his full potential.