With the Sacramento Kings' new defensive focus being pushed harder that ever, the need for players to implement it has grown exponentially. That's where Chris Boucher comes in. The former Raptor is now playing for the Celtics, and could be the difference maker the Kings are looking for.
After the return of Keegan Murray and the addition of Precious Achiwua, there have been strong signs of improvement from the Kings' defense. They are developing a defensive identity as a scrappy, unpolished crew that does what it takes to get the job done at their end of the court.
The key word in that last sentence is "developing," as the Kings have a long, long way to go on defense. For years, their front office was addicted to signing small, shoot-first guards. Sacramento's lack of size and defensive focus is a long-standing issue the current front office is trying to correct.
That means smart trades, drafting well, and putting time into development. Looking at the players out there right now, there are several who could be a good fit for Sacramento, one of them being the Celtics' Chris Boucher. If they are willing to talk, there is definitely a trade conversation to be had.
Chris Boucher moves to the Sacramento Kings
Boucher has been in the league since 2017, winning an NBA Championship with the Warriors in 2018 and then again with the Raptors in 2019. He played most of his career in Toronto, though signed with the Celtics in the summer just before the beginning of the 2025-2026 season.
On offense, Boucher is known for smart, sneaky plays that involve both threes and taking it to the rack. He is also an incredible rebounder at both ends of the court. More importantly for the Kings, his length, versatility, and wingspan make him an incredible rim protector.
The Celtics will be hard to convince to part ways with this center-forward as he's working his way into a starting position. At the same time, Boston might be interested in the services of Keon Ellis, Devin Carter, and possibly a rookie with big potential like Dylan Cardwell.
Given his skillset, and the fact that he played with Achiuwa on the Raptors for two seasons, Boucher seems like a good fit for the Kings. Once December 15 hits and the trade season starts, Scott Perry should pick up the phone and make a call to his counterpart in Boston.