Celtics Sign Chris Boucher to One-Year, $3.3 Million Contract
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The Boston Celtics have reached a one-year agreement worth $3.3 million with free-agent forward Chris Boucher, according to agent Sam Permut of Roc Nation, who spoke with ESPN’s Shams Charania.
Boucher Enters Ninth NBA Season
The 31-year-old wraps up a three-year, $35.25 million deal signed with the Toronto Raptors in July 2022. Toronto allowed the eight-year veteran to test free agency after the 2024-25 campaign, during which he averaged 10 points and 4.5 rebounds in 17.2 minutes over 50 games off the bench. Boucher shot 49.2 percent from the field and 36.3 percent on three-pointers.
Boston Trims Payroll With Separate Trade
To ease luxury-tax pressure, Boston moved forward Georges Niang and two future second-round picks to the Utah Jazz for rookie guard RJ Luis Jr. The deal slashes the Celtics’ payroll and tax obligations by $50 million, places the club $1.7 million above the first tax apron and $10.2 million below the second, and generates an $8.2 million trade exception. Niang’s $8 million salary slides into Utah’s $26.6 million John Collins trade exception.
Since the 2025 NBA Draft, Boston’s total payroll has fallen from $540 million to $239 million, per ESPN’s Bobby Marks.
Key Offseason Departures
The Celtics have already traded Kristaps Porzingis to the Atlanta Hawks and Jrue Holiday to the Portland Trail Blazers. Center Luke Kornet signed a four-year, $41 million contract with the San Antonio Spurs, while veteran Al Horford is expected to retire or sign elsewhere.
Injury and Free-Agency Outlook
Boston will be without All-Star Jayson Tatum for most of the 2025-26 season because of a torn Achilles suffered in last season’s Eastern Conference finals against the New York Knicks. The team remains interested in free-agent guard Ben Simmons, joining the Suns, Knicks, and Kings among reported suitors.
Source: Basketball Insiders
