The Detroit Pistons have been connected to everyone from Devin Booker to Kevin Durant in offseason speculation, but in the end, they are likely to add depth around the fringes with a guy like Chris Boucher.
The Pistons have no depth at power forward behind Tobias Harris and could use more size at the position, as well as someone who can stretch the floor.
Harris is on an expiring contract next season, so the Pistons must have an eye towards his eventual replacement, but for now, they could look to supplement him with another veteran.
Trajan Langdon nailed the assignment last offseason and will look to do the same in this one if the Pistons end up exercising patience and not swinging for a big trade.
Chris Boucher is an unrestricted free agent and would be a realistic option the Pistons could potentially sign to a team-friendly contract.
Detroit Pistons free agency: Chris Boucher
Boucher is a lanky forward who can play a little at the five in small-ball lineups, as he’s a good shot disrupter at the rim.
He shot 36 percent on nearly four attempts from long range per game for the Raptors this season as he continues to evolve into more of a stretch four. But this is a guy who blocked two shots a game playing at center, so he can provide rim protection in that role as well, which makes him a more versatile option than Paul Reed.
Boucher only played 50 games this season after losing his role in Toronto, so he’s a guy the Pistons could nab at a discount, especially if he takes a Malik Beasley-type deal to try and rebuild his value on a one-year deal.
The Pistons need to continue to try and hit on those types of value players, especially as the top of the roster gets more expensive, veterans who have known skillsets and something to prove on lowball deals.
It worked out with Beasley, and Boucher is similarly a guy who could thrive in the right role on the right team, as we have seen him do in the past.
The Pistons may end up using most of their financial flexibility to bring back their own guys, so finding players like Boucher who can theoretically provide good value for production will be key.
Chris Boucher certainly isn’t a name that is going to get fans excited, but he does tick some boxes for the Pistons when it comes to depth and shooting at the power forward position.