There likely won’t be a title contender in Boston next season, but the Celtics are trying to build a playoff roster.
This offseason has been a roller coaster for the Celtics. After losing to the New York Knicks in the second round and watching Jayson Tatum rupture his Achilles, the Celtics simply looked to shed salary this offseason.
With a few big moves, Boston is in a much better spot financially, but it also took a significant hit in talent. With none of the Celtics’ three rotational big men on the roster for next season, the team recently added former Raptor Chris Boucher to the squad.
Although Boucher certainly fills a hole for the Celtics, there are still some major concerns about their frontcourt. That sentiment was echoed by a rival executive in a recent interview with Athlon’s Sean Deveney.
“(Boucher) is a really good, active player who you can use in stretches,” an Eastern Conference GM said. “He’s always been someone we liked, but as a bench guy, an energy guy. But when you look at what they have right now, that roster is out of whack.
“No one knows where they’re going with this, but the thing about Boucher is, he finally gives them an actual NBA player in the frontcourt. They do not have many of those right now.”
In Deveney’s interview with the rival executive, it’s clear that Boston’s move wasn’t exactly seen as moving the needle for next season. Still, as the GM said, signing Boucher gives the Celtics a much-needed inside presence.
Whether Boucher will be able to channel his 2021 self is yet to be determined, but he should be able to have the green light on the floor to play his game, with only guys like Neemias Queta and Luka Garza currently battling him for minutes down low.
