The Philadelphia 76ers are almost finished making moves this offseason with only the Quentin Grimes restricted free agency situation in want of a resolution. Hence, it is probably safe to say that at this juncture, the team will parade their roster as currently constructed as they slowly approach training camp.
However, in light of recent developments on the team, especially with Joel Embiid’s subsisting bout with his knee injury, the 76ers have some reinforcing and augmenting to do in the front court. The front office seems to believe that they have already done just that after drafting Johni Broome and adding the likes of Trendon Watford and Dominick Barlow, but none of those players really project as definite answers to fill the void left by the superstar.
The 76ers still need better options than what they currently have. Unfortunately, while that is as clear as daylight, the front office is still banking on makeshift options to improve their cushion behind the All-Star, and them completely missing out on Chris Boucher is a strong indication of such a flawed disposition.
To make matters worse, he now heads to a bitter 76ers rival — the Boston Celtics.
76ers miss out on chance to sign Chris Boucher, who will now play for the Celtics
Boucher, who spent the last seven seasons with the Raptors, somehow took so long to find his next home in the NBA, but the Celtics definitely saw him as a perfect player to crack up their frontcourt depth, especially after losing Kristaps Porzingis, and soon, Al Horford.
After losing Guerschon Yabusele in free agency, someone like Boucher would have been ideal for the 76ers. While he is probably a bit worse on defense than the Frenchman, he is just as versatile on offense, capable of playing all front court positions with his inside-out play.
Last season, despite playing just 17.2 minutes per game, Boucher registered 10 points and 4.5 rebounds per outing while shooting 49.2 percent from the field and draining 36.3 percent of his three-point tries.
Those numbers tell exactly the kind of production which Philly needs from its front court cogs. And to drive home that point more strongly, Boucher is already an NBA veteran and knows the innings of the league. He would have been a better choice for the win-now 76ers.
Instead, the front office went with more unproven choices, and while it is way too soon to make a definitive ruling on the propriety of their decisions, missing out on Chris Boucher stands as a regretful omission at this point in time.