Nuggets Interested in Raptors Big Man

The Denver Nuggets are once again looking like a team that could challenge to get out of the Western Conference. They still have the taste of the 2023 NBA championship lingering, and they're hoping to ride another MVP-worthy season from Nikola Jokić back to the promised land.

But Jokic has been playing a career-high 37.2 minutes a game, and scoring over 31 points a game. That's just not the best recipe to keep him fresh for the playoffs when it counts. They need some depth at the center spot, and according to reports, they have their eye on Toronto Raptors big man Chris Boucher.

The 7-year veteran already has two championship rings (sort of), will he get a chance at a third with the Nuggets?

NBA insider Ian Begley notes that the Nuggets are one of several teams that have Boucher on their radar as we rapidly approach the Feb. 6th trade deadline. The lanky center/power forward is on an expiring contract, set to become an unrestricted free agent after the season.

"He certainly has fans within the Nuggets organization," wrote Begley.

They must have been watching his performance against the Cleveland Cavaliers, of all teams, the other night. Boucher posted a season-high 23 points with 12 rebounds and shot 5-of-8 from long range. He's up to 35.6% from beyond the arc for the season.

HAVE A NIGHT CHRIS BOUCHER 🥵

He's up to 19 points on 7-of-9 shooting (5-of-6 3PT)pic.twitter.com/FGS5hmLhDk
— Raptors Nation (@RaptorsNationCP) January 10, 2025

The Canadian-born Boucher is averaging 10.3 points and 4.3 rebounds per game this season in just 17.4 minutes a night.

Boucher played one game for the Golden State Warriors in 2017-18, and though he didn't play in the playoffs, the team won the championship, enough to earn him a ring. He then came to the Raptors organization, where he was the G League's Most Valuable Player in 2019, then played a couple of games in that year's postseason for Toronto, earning himself another championship ring.

Boucher only carries 200 pounds on his 6'9" frame, but uses it to the utmost, coming in from the bench with energy, floor spacing and some fits of explosiveness around the basket, as well as using that long reach to defend the rim at the other end and add some rebounding.

He'd be an ideal complement to give Jokic a bit more rest.

The Nuggets are currently 23-15, good for 4th in the Western Conference, winners of 7 of their last 10 games.