Chris Boucher‘s name was bandied about before the trade deadline but the Raptors big man was confident he wouldn’t be dealt. He had steady communication with the front office during that time. “I won’t lie to you, I think it was the most peaceful deadline I had compared to the other years,” Boucher told William Lou of RaptorsRepublic.com. “I was also talking with Bobby (Webster) and all of them, and I never thought I was going to be going away. The media says one thing, but really, the GM, and the people around here would have told me if something would have happened, and then I would have been a little bit more concerned.” Boucher will be a free agent after the season.
We have more from the Atlantic Division:
- Scottie Barnes was the primary defender on Kevin Durant during the Raptors’ win over Phoenix on Sunday. Durant was limited to 15 points and Barnes told Michael Grange of Sportsnet.com that it wasn’t a fluke. “I think I’m a high-level defender, one of the best defenders in this league,” Barnes said. “I’m able to be able to guard multiple positions, switch, give the ball pressure because I move really well for my size and I’m out there reading things.”
- Jrue Holiday will get Tuesday night off when the Celtics visit Toronto. Holiday will be rested in the first game of a back-to-back, Brian Robb of Masslive.com reports. Luke Kornet (personal reasons) will also miss the contest, while reserve center Al Horford (toe) is listed as questionable.
- Nets forward Trendon Watford showed off his versatility on Saturday when coach Jordi Fernandez used him at point guard during crunch time against the Sixers. Watford scored 11 of his 16 points in the fourth quarter. “He helps you win. And he does that because he’s able to score, but also able to handle and playmake and play four positions, and post-up and make a 3. So all those things are super valuable at his size and position,” Fernandez told Brian Lewis of the New York Post.
- The two-way contract that the Sixers gave Alex Reese is a two-year deal, Michael Scotto of Hoops Hype tweets. The free agent forward signed the contract on Friday.
Boucher was a pkayer Knicks looked at. Would have loved to get him. He and OG are supposedly good friends. Man he would have been perfect for Knicks bench. Hoping Knicks look at him next yr. He’s a FA next yr.
Scottie’s ceiling is as a high level 2way player. Its why I don’t get signing Ingram. Basically same player to me. Raptors somehow can get a top 10 pick. And draft the Duke center. Watch out ……
In keeping with the tank job, I’d have loved the raps to trade Boucher to your Knicks. A 2nd and salary filler would’ve been fine with me. Good luck in the playoffs.