With the trade deadline in the rearview and buyout season heating up, the New York Knicks have already addressed one area of need by bringing in Jose Alvarado to bolster their backcourt. But while the guard rotation is getting some much-needed reinforcements, the frontcourt remains a work in progress - and there's a name on the open market that could quietly help fill that gap: Chris Boucher.
After being traded from Boston to Utah in a cost-cutting move, Boucher was waived by the Jazz and is now available. And while his current numbers don’t jump off the page - 2.3 points and 2.0 rebounds per game this season - there’s more to this story than just a cold stat line.
Let’s be clear: Boucher isn’t being brought in to be a savior. But for a Knicks squad that’s been navigating injuries and inconsistency up front, he could be a smart, low-cost addition with upside.
Why Boucher Makes Sense for the Knicks Right Now
Before the backcourt started thinning out, the Knicks’ biggest concern was their depth in the paint. Mitchell Robinson’s ongoing injury issues have been a recurring theme, and while Karl-Anthony Towns brings offensive firepower, his play has been up and down throughout the year. That leaves a frontcourt rotation that could use another reliable body - especially one with Boucher’s skill set.
At 6-foot-8 with a 7-foot-4 wingspan, Boucher brings length, versatility, and a defensive presence that fits well in a Tom Thibodeau system. He’s generally played the four, but he’s shown he can hold his own as a small-ball five when needed - a valuable trait in today’s switch-heavy NBA.
And while his 2025-26 campaign has been forgettable, it wasn’t long ago that Boucher was a legitimate rotational contributor. Just last season, he averaged 10.0 points and 4.5 rebounds per game, shooting 49.2 percent from the field and 36.3 percent from beyond the arc. That combination of rim protection and floor spacing is exactly what teams look for in a modern big.
Go back a few more years, and you’ll find Boucher finishing eighth in the Sixth Man of the Year voting after putting up 13.6 points, 6.7 boards, and nearly two blocks a night while shooting over 38 percent from deep. That season with Toronto wasn’t a fluke - it was a glimpse of what he can bring when healthy and given a defined role.
Championship Pedigree and Locker Room Value
Beyond the numbers, Boucher brings something else to the table: championship experience. He’s a two-time NBA champion, having been part of title-winning teams with both the Warriors and Raptors. For a Knicks team that’s trying to take the next step - and has playoff aspirations that go beyond just making noise in the first round - that kind of experience matters.
Veteran leadership, especially from someone who’s been on the biggest stage, can help steady a young locker room and provide valuable perspective. And with the Knicks continuing to build a culture of toughness and accountability, Boucher’s journey and work ethic could resonate.
A Low-Risk, High-Upside Swing
Financially, the Knicks are limited. They’re operating close to the cap and can’t offer much more than a veteran minimum deal.
But that’s exactly why a move for Boucher makes sense. His market value is at its lowest point in years, and that opens the door for a classic buy-low opportunity.
If he doesn’t pan out? No harm done. But if he can recapture even a portion of his prior form, the Knicks could find themselves with a flexible, two-way big who can stretch the floor, protect the rim, and bring a winning mindset to a team that’s hungry for a deep postseason run.
In a buyout market that rarely offers game-changers, Boucher might not be a headline-grabber - but he could be exactly the kind of under-the-radar move that pays dividends when it matters most.