The Warriors gave up on Chris Boucher after just one season. Was that too early to move on from the 6-foot, 10-inch center?
The Warriors selected Jordan Bell with the 38th overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, and then they picked up fellow Oregon big man Chris Boucher as an undrafted free agent.
Boucher was pretty raw coming out of college, but he showed the potential to become a stretch five and a rim-protecting big man.
Boucher shot 34.4% from three on 3.2 attempts per game during his career at Oregon while blocking 2.7 shots per game.
Boucher spent a majority of his time in the G League last season playing 20 games for the Santa Cruz Warriors.
More from Blue Man Hoop
- 3x champion may come to regret forgoing Golden State Warriors reunion
- Golden State Warriors: History shows USA may need Stephen Curry for more than the Olympics
- 7 players Golden State Warriors might replace Klay Thompson with by the trade deadline
- Golden State Warriors villain pours on more pain to end USA’s World Cup
- Golden State Warriors: Stephen Curry continues philanthropic efforts off the court
He scored 11.8 points, grabbed 7.5 rebounds, and blocked 2.1 shots per game last season in Santa Cruz. But his three-point shooting fell off as he went 22.4% from three on 2.5 attempts per game.
Unfortunately, the 25-year-old Boucher was simply too old to be that raw of a prospect, so the Warriors waived him from his two-way contract near the end of June.
The Raptors signed Boucher to a one-year minimum deal following his release from Golden State.
The Warriors should be just fine at the center position next season after moving on from Boucher.
DeMarcus Cousins will likely start at the five when he comes back from his Achilles injury. And Jordan Bell and Kevon Looney are solid options at center until he returns.
Steve Kerr can always play Draymond Green at center in the Super Death Lineup, and free agent pickup Jonas Jerebko could also give them some minutes at the five next year.
I think Chris Boucher is an extremely intriguing player, but he just wasn’t developing quick enough for a team that wants to win championships right now.
Check out our grades of the Warriors’ other offseason moves: