The Boston Celtics have brought in a new possible starting center for the 2025-26 season.
Or maybe he'll be their starting power forward.
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Shams Charania of ESPN reports that Boston is signing free agent big man Chris Boucher to a one-season, $3.3 million deal, per his agent Sam Permut of Roc Nation.
Boucher departs Toronto where he has the all-time franchise record in points, rebounds, blocks, minutes and games played off the bench. He also was the Raptors' last remaining member of the 2019 NBA championship team. https://t.co/8LXTQy56VW
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 5, 2025
According to Charania, the team anticipates that Boucher will enjoy "a significant role in the frontcourt."
Boucher, the last remaining player from Toronto's 2019 title team, had paced the Raptors in scoring, rebounding blocks, minutes, and contests played as a bench piece.
Just before the Boucher news broke, Charania also revealed the team's decision to offload the contract of pricier frontcourt piece George Niang. Boston had to sacrifice a pair of future second-round draft picks to the Utah Jazz in exchange for rookie swingman Reggie Luis Jr.
The Boston Celtics are trading Georges Niang and two future second-round picks to the Utah Jazz for rookie RJ Luis Jr., sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/l7h0cGobfU
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 5, 2025
Boucher, a 6-foot-9 big man out of the University of Oregon, enjoyed a productive stint as a reserve for Toronto in 2024-25. The 32-year-old averaged 10.0 points on .492/.363/.782 shooting splits, plus 4.5 rebounds, 0.7 assists, 0.5 steals and 0.5 blocks per bout in 17.2 minutes per.
It remains to be seen how Boston intends to use Boucher in its rotation. In theory, he could start at either the four or five, thanks to his floor-stretching ability. Former deep-bench center Neemias Queta had been expected to serve as the Celtics' starting center, but it's conceivable he could be slotted into a reserve role depending on how much shooting Joe Mazzulla wants to install into his first five.
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