The New York Knicks have been anything but quiet this trade season, but their work isn’t done just yet. With an open roster spot still up for grabs, the front office has a chance to dip into the buyout market and add a piece that could round out their rotation - especially in the frontcourt.
One name that’s generating some buzz? Chris Boucher.
At 6-foot-8, Boucher brings championship experience - he was on the rosters of both the 2018 Warriors and the 2019 Raptors - but his real value lies in what he’s developed into since those early years. While he didn’t play a major role during those title runs, Boucher has grown into a unique contributor: a mobile big who can run the floor, finish through contact, and defend across multiple positions.
That kind of versatility is exactly what the Knicks could use right now.
Big man depth has been a recurring concern for New York this season. While the guard rotation has taken some hits lately, the frontcourt issues have been lingering for a while.
Karl-Anthony Towns has had stretches of inconsistency, and Mitchell Robinson’s injury history is well-documented. That leaves the Knicks in need of a reliable, flexible option up front - someone who can soak up minutes, protect the rim, and stretch the floor just enough to keep defenses honest.
Enter Boucher.
Back in his third year with Toronto, Boucher began flashing signs of what he could become. He averaged 6.6 points, 4.5 boards, and a block per game, shooting a respectable 47.2% from the field and 32.2% from deep.
But it was the 2020-21 season where he really broke out. That year, he posted 13.6 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game, while knocking down over 51% of his shots and hitting 38.3% from three.
For a player with his length and mobility, those numbers are more than just solid - they’re the kind of production that can swing second units and stabilize rotations.
Fast forward to this season: Boucher started the year with the Celtics before being moved to the Jazz at the trade deadline. Utah has since waived him, making the Saint Lucia native one of the more intriguing names on the buyout market.
For the Knicks, it’s a low-risk, potentially high-reward move. Boucher isn’t a star, and he’s not going to come in and change the trajectory of the season on his own. But he’s the kind of savvy addition that contending teams make - a player who knows his role, brings energy, and can step up when needed.
With that final roster spot still open, New York has a decision to make. If they’re looking for a frontcourt boost with playoff experience and a proven ability to contribute in spurts, Chris Boucher checks a lot of boxes. Now it’s just a matter of whether the Knicks decide he’s the right fit for the stretch run.