The New York Knicks are among many NBA teams looking to upgrade their roster at the trade deadline, which is just over a week away. Trades can be made up until Thursday, February 6, 3 PM ET. Similar to other franchises, they are restricted on what moves they can make because of their expensive starting lineup under the new Collective Bargaining Agreement. Midseason trades are much harder to work these days, but New York is still interested in small deals to improve the margins of the roster. Their lack of depth has been issue all season, but could be rectified with a couple savvy trades. One of the names coming up recently is Toronto Raptors power forward Chris Boucher.
Knicks Interested in Chris Boucher Trade
The 32-year-old is Having a Stellar Season
Four seasons ago in 2020-21, Boucher had the best year of his career in what was easily a breakout season up until that point. Finishing eighth in Sixth Man of the Year voting, he averaged 13.6 points and 6.7 rebounds on 51.4% from the field and 38.3% from deep. At the time, it was his first extended NBA action with a meaningful role. At just 28, Boucher looked ready to take off. Unfortunately, that hasn’t quite happened, and he’s faded a bit from relevancy after three disappointing seasons.
This year, however, he’s regained his mojo on the floor. The former undrafted free agent is posting 10.7 points and 4.4 rebounds in just 17.5 minutes a night. He has stellar shooting numbers at 50.5% from the field, 37.0% from three-point territory, and 79.5% from the foul line for a 14-32 Raptors squad. Boucher is a solid bench scorer who stretches the floor. Additionally, he defends at a high level due to his length and athleticism. Boucher would provide the Knicks a needed extra 3-and-D guy at 6-foot-9 who they can throw at opposing scorers on the wing. New York also simply needs more quality, playable bodies who can bolster their questionable depth.
Boucher fits the Thibodeau-driven identity of this Knicks team. He plays physically, is aggressive on defense, and brings a grit to the lineup that suits New York. He’s also a very durable player, having suited up in 41 of Toronto’s 46 contests and 60-plus games four of the past five seasons.
The veteran’s $10.8 million contract expires after this season, which is a positive for Leon Rose. New York could bring him in for the rest of this year, and have no commitments to him after that.
The Nuggets, Clippers and Knicks are teams with an interest in Chris Boucher, per @MikeAScotto
“The Nuggets, along with the Los Angeles Clippers, New York Knicks, and other teams, have also expressed trade interest in Boucher, league sources told HoopsHype. The 32-year-old… pic.twitter.com/s76Cy9cAfa
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) January 28, 2025
Trading with Toronto Worked Out in 2024
The last time the Knicks traded with the Raptors on December 30th, 2023, it changed the trajectory of their franchise. Acquiring OG Anunoby helped bring New York to the next level. They have gone 51-19 with him in the lineup and become true contenders since then. It also brought in Precious Achiuwa, who has been a pleasant surprise for NY on both ends of the floor. Toronto received two promising young players and Knick fan-favorites in Immanuel Quickley and RJ Barrett. While the Knicks have risen to near the top of the East, the Raptors are near the bottom.
Photo credit: © Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
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