Chris Boucher spent eight seasons with the Raptors and Warriors, accumulating all the necessary experience and expertise needed to step into a more defined leadership role as a member of the Celtics. That’s exactly what the 32-year-old aims to accomplish after signing a one-year deal with Boston this offseason.
With Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford now members of the Hawks and Warriors, respectively, the vacancy for a reliable front-court presence with a veteran’s perspective opened up. Boucher became an unrestricted free agent after his contract in Toronto expired, and the job opening in Boston presented an ideal fit for both sides heading into the 2025-26 campaign.
The Celtics landed a reliable big man and two-time NBA champion (2017, 2018) without breaking the bank or further straining a payroll that already posed challenges throughout the offseason. However, it’s Boucher’s off-court initiative that might be the most valuable and unforeseen contribution to Boston’s locker room.
After Friday afternoon’s practice at Scotiabank Arena as the Celtics prepared for their preseason matchup with the Raptors, Boucher spoke about his growing communication with his new teammates — emphasizing the importance of building rapport, especially with the rookies.
“I think that the way you do that is just being in the gym every time talking and then making sure you ask questions,” Boucher said. “Even though you don’t have to ask them how his day was, but that starts there. How his day was, and have a little conversation, the conversation gets bigger over time, and then you get to know who they are, and you spend more time with them.”
Hugo Gonzalez, Amari Williams, and Max Shulga make up Boston’s latest rookie class, while Boucher joins Anfernee Simons, Luka Garza, and Josh Minott as the team’s notable veteran roster additions. Although Boucher beats out the group of front-court options in terms of experience, he’s not overly concerned about securing any specific role with the Celtics. Instead, Boucher is taking a selfless approach.
“I just want to be able to put me anywhere you want me and try to be able to help the team, regardless where they put me,” Boucher said.
Last season, Boucher averaged 10 points with 4.5 rebounds, shooting 36.3% from 3-point range on a career-high 3.6 attempts with the Raptors. He slipped out of Toronto’s rotation, playing 17.2 minutes through 50 games (no starts), leading him to a much more favorable chance of getting on the floor consistently with Boston.
Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla inserted Boucher into the starting lineup for Wednesday night’s preseason opener against the Grizzlies, alongside Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, Sam Hauser, and Xavier Tillman. Boucher played 20 minutes and struggled to find his rhythm from beyond the arc, logging a 1-for-6 shooting output from three before finishing with 11 points, four rebounds, a steal, and a block in Boston’s 121-103 win in Memphis.
But it likely wasn’t Boucher’s box score contributions that caught the attention of Mazzulla or anyone else on Boston’s bench. Boucher rushed to Gonzalez’s defense when the 19-year-old was muscle-matching Grizzlies center PJ Hall for possession of a rebound during the second quarter, proving Boucher’s willingness to prioritize his teammates above all else whenever the time comes.
That outlook is something Boucher learned during his early years as a member of the Raptors, and it stuck with him throughout the progression of his career.
“For me, it’s like, ‘OK, this is my rookie and I don’t know who you are. But I know you’re not wearing a green jersey — meaning you’re against us,” Boucher explained. “… Kyle (Lowry) did that for me (in Toronto). Serge (Ibaka) would’ve done the same thing for me my first year. So now that I’m in this position to do that, then I’m doing the same thing, and obviously every team got one of those guys that protects everybody, and if it happens to be me, then it is what it is.”
Boucher, on Friday, also published his article titled “Tomorrow” on the Players’ Tribune, which retold the story of his humble beginnings growing up in Montréal, to his uphill battle in becoming a professional basketball player. Boucher shared the story on X, highlighting the importance of sharing his journey with everyone on Mental Health Day, which raises awareness about mental health issues globally.
If anyone in Boston’s locker room, whether it’s a rookie or a veteran, finds himself in need of assistance on or off the court, Boucher has made it clear that he’s a reliable source, open to lending a helping hand.
Having an enforcer sits on the grocery list of voids the Celtics need filled to hold down the fort while franchise star Jayson Tatum heals from his ruptured Achilles tendon injury. Boucher seems more than willing to go above and beyond in assuming that role, along with all of its responsibilities.
