Boston signs Chris Boucher to bolster frontcourt depth

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

The Boston Celtics have signed center Chris Boucher to a one-year, USD3.3 million deal, according to ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania on Aug. 6, 2025.

Boucher, who spent the last seven seasons with the Toronto Raptors, is expected to reinforce Boston’s frontcourt following the departure of Kristaps Porzingis and Luke Kornet.

Porzingis and Kornet played key roles in the Celtics’ 2024 NBA championship run but were traded after a disappointing playoff exit, with Porzingis going to the Atlanta Hawks and Kornet to the San Antonio Spurs.

Boucher was part of the Raptors’ 2019 championship team that defeated the Golden State Warriors in six games to claim the Larry O’Brien Trophy.

Though used sparingly, he provided valuable rim protection and energy off the bench during that historic run.

In his final season with Toronto, Boucher was limited to 50 games due to injuries.

He averaged 10.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, 0.5 blocks, and 0.5 steals in 17.2 minutes per game.

His arrival in Boston adds needed depth to the paint, joining fellow big men Neemias Queta and Luka Garza in the Celtics’ rotation.

Veteran center Al Horford has yet to finalize a contract with Boston.

Should he leave in free agency, Boucher could step into the starting lineup alongside Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, and Payton Pritchard.