The Golden State Warriors have already made a splash this trade season, pulling off a blockbuster move to land Kristaps Porzingis. But they might not be done just yet. With the buyout market beginning to take shape, Golden State could be eyeing a familiar face to bolster their depth for the stretch run.
Chris Boucher, a two-time NBA champion and former Warrior, is now officially on the market after being waived by the Utah Jazz. The 33-year-old forward began the season with the Boston Celtics but never found his rhythm in their rotation.
He appeared in just nine games, averaging 2.3 points and 2.0 rebounds while shooting a rough 32.0% from the field and just 13.3% from beyond the arc. Clearly, it wasn’t the right fit.
But don’t let those numbers fool you-Boucher’s résumé still carries weight, especially for a team like Golden State that values versatility and experience. After all, this is a player who played a role on two championship teams: first with the Warriors during the 2017-18 season, and then again with the Raptors the following year.
While his stint with Boston didn’t pan out, Boucher's previous four seasons in Toronto tell a different story. He averaged double-digit scoring, pulled down boards, and stretched the floor with a respectable three-point shot-36.3% from deep last season, to be exact.
More importantly, he established himself as a switchable defender with a knack for blocking shots and creating chaos in the paint. At 6-foot-9 with a 7-foot-4 wingspan, he brings the kind of length and defensive versatility that Golden State’s second unit could use.
The Warriors have long thrived on players who can fill multiple roles-think Andre Iguodala, Shaun Livingston, or more recently, Jonathan Kuminga. Boucher fits that mold.
He’s not going to carry the offense, but he can give you quality minutes off the bench, run the floor, protect the rim, and knock down the occasional three. And with Porzingis now in the fold, Boucher wouldn’t be asked to do too much-just play his role and bring energy.
Golden State has always been strategic when it comes to buyout additions, and Boucher checks a lot of boxes: championship pedigree, familiarity with the system, defensive upside, and low-risk upside. If the Warriors are looking to shore up their frontcourt depth for a playoff push, a reunion with Boucher could be more than just a feel-good story-it might be a smart basketball move.