Surf City Summary: Latest on Quinn Cook, Damian Jones, Chris Boucher

Chris Boucher still on track for January return

When I last spoke to Warriors 2-way contract player, Chris Boucher, he stated that he was aiming to make his debut for the Santa Cruz Warriors in January 2018. Talking to Santa Cruz Warriors head coach Aaron Miles, that date still stands as far as he knows.

"“Yeah I believe…some time in January — when, I don’t know — but that sounds about right,” Miles said. “But we’re just taking him slow. It’s nothing we’re trying to rush into with him.”"

Boucher has been sidelined with an ACL injury since the end of his final year at Oregon. Last season, he appeared in 31 games on per game averages of 11.8 points, 6.0 rebounds and 2.5 blocks in 23.5 minutes. He shot 52.4 percent from the field, 35.0 percent from behind the arc and 56.6 percent from the free throw line.

He has all the tools of a modern NBA big man, showing the ability to space the floor and defend at a high level. He has a few question marks surrounding his overall development, but considering how quickly the Warriors staff acted to secure him after he went undrafted in 2017, there’s obviously something they like.

However, Santa Cruz is almost 20 games into the G League season, which could spell trouble for Boucher as he begins to work into the rotation. The 6-foot-10 big man will have to contend with guys like Trevor Thompson, George Niang and James Southerland for minutes, not to mention Damian Jones.

As excited as I may be to see Boucher debut for the Warriors, I’m even more intrigued to see whom he displaces in the rotation.