TITLE: Jazz Acquire Chris Boucher From Celtics, Pick Up 2027 Second-Rounder
SLUG: jazz-trade-for-chris-boucher-cut-celtics-tax
CONTENT:
Salt Lake City is adding size and Boston is trimming salary in a minor trade agreed to on Monday, according to multiple reports.
The Utah Jazz will receive veteran forward Chris Boucher and a 2027 second-round pick via Denver from the Boston Celtics, reported first by ESPN’s Shams Charania and further detailed by Tony Jones of The Athletic. The draft choice originally reached Boston through Chicago in the Nikola Vucevic–Anfernee Simons transaction.
Boston’s motivation is largely financial. Cap analyst Yossi Gozlan noted that moving Boucher projects to leave the Celtics roughly $3.6 million above the NBA’s luxury-tax threshold.
Utah can fit Boucher’s one-year minimum contract into its minimum-salary exception, meaning no outgoing salary is required. To finalize the deal, the Jazz must clear a roster spot and are expected to waive guard Lonzo Ball, who is not part of the team’s future plans.
The Jazz have not indicated whether they intend to keep Boucher for the remainder of the season. The club could also waive the 33-year-old and absorb his remaining salary to maintain roster flexibility.
Boucher spent seven seasons with the Toronto Raptors before signing with Boston last summer. Limited to nine appearances for the Celtics, he averaged 2.3 points and 2.0 rebounds in 10.4 minutes, falling behind Neemias Queta and Luka Garza on the depth chart.
Source: Hoops Wire
