Ian Begley: Nuggets monitoring Boucher

[Dalek]

Trade season is upon us and Boucher showing out at the right time.

Several teams have Raptors forward Chris Boucher on their radar ahead of the trade deadline, SNY’s Ian Begley reports. Begley writes that some within the Nuggets organization, in particular, are fans of Boucher, who entered Thursday averaging 9.9 points and 4.7 rebounds per game but has only played nine minutes combined in his last two outings entering Thursday. While the big man is averaging a modest 17.1 minutes per game on the season, he received first quarter minutes in Cleveland on Thursday and finished the game with 23 points and 12 rebounds.

https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2025/01/atlantic-notes-nets-johnson-boucher-yabusele-embiid.html

Zeke Nanji and DaRon Holmes would work. Both add some PF depth. I actually watched Holmes in Utah two weeks ago during shootaround and he looked good. Nanji has Nigerian parents so you know there will be interest.

[ItsDanger]

Absolutely zero interest in Nnaji. Holmes I don't see them moving but for Boucher would be solid return. He's out with achilles injury.

[Scase]

Trade season is upon us and Boucher showing out at the right time.

Several teams have Raptors forward Chris Boucher on their radar ahead of the trade deadline, SNY’s Ian Begley reports. Begley writes that some within the Nuggets organization, in particular, are fans of Boucher, who entered Thursday averaging 9.9 points and 4.7 rebounds per game but has only played nine minutes combined in his last two outings entering Thursday. While the big man is averaging a modest 17.1 minutes per game on the season, he received first quarter minutes in Cleveland on Thursday and finished the game with 23 points and 12 rebounds.

https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2025/01/atlantic-notes-nets-johnson-boucher-yabusele-embiid.html

Zeke Nanji and DaRon Holmes would work. Both add some PF depth. I actually watched Holmes in Utah two weeks ago during shootaround and he looked good. Nanji has Nigerian parents so you know there will be interest.

I would prefer if we used Boucher as a part of a bigger trade, but I guess this is more of a get something instead of nothing. Picking up a 22 year old late first rounder sounds good in theory, but a torn Achilles at 22 is not a good sign for the rest of his career.

[LoveMyRaps]

It ain't happening but Watson would be a terrific acquisition.

[Indeed]

Trade season is upon us and Boucher showing out at the right time.

Several teams have Raptors forward Chris Boucher on their radar ahead of the trade deadline, SNY’s Ian Begley reports. Begley writes that some within the Nuggets organization, in particular, are fans of Boucher, who entered Thursday averaging 9.9 points and 4.7 rebounds per game but has only played nine minutes combined in his last two outings entering Thursday. While the big man is averaging a modest 17.1 minutes per game on the season, he received first quarter minutes in Cleveland on Thursday and finished the game with 23 points and 12 rebounds.

https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2025/01/atlantic-notes-nets-johnson-boucher-yabusele-embiid.html

Zeke Nanji and DaRon Holmes would work. Both add some PF depth. I actually watched Holmes in Utah two weeks ago during shootaround and he looked good. Nanji has Nigerian parents so you know there will be interest.

I would prefer if we used Boucher as a part of a bigger trade, but I guess this is more of a get something instead of nothing. Picking up a 22 year old late first rounder sounds good in theory, but a torn Achilles at 22 is not a good sign for the rest of his career.

Brown salary would be used for a bigger trade, otherwise, Brown would stuck with us.

[sidsid]

This is a Zeke salary dump trade for the Nuggets, and you don't do it for less than a first. His contract is relatively small and will only get smaller, but 4 years is too long. I'm hesitant on any salary dumps longer than 2 years.

[Lord_Zedd]

Even with that small salary in today's standard, I honestly have no idea how Zeke managed to be rewarded with that contract

A team starved for depth, and he still can't play

[Scase]

Trade season is upon us and Boucher showing out at the right time.



https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2025/01/atlantic-notes-nets-johnson-boucher-yabusele-embiid.html

Zeke Nanji and DaRon Holmes would work. Both add some PF depth. I actually watched Holmes in Utah two weeks ago during shootaround and he looked good. Nanji has Nigerian parents so you know there will be interest.

I would prefer if we used Boucher as a part of a bigger trade, but I guess this is more of a get something instead of nothing. Picking up a 22 year old late first rounder sounds good in theory, but a torn Achilles at 22 is not a good sign for the rest of his career.

Brown salary would be used for a bigger trade, otherwise, Brown would stuck with us.

Nothing to say you couldnt combine them for a large trade, or keep Bouchers to be a 3rd team in a multi team trade. Bouchers expiring for a 22 year old with a torn achilles, and a bad player with a small, but unearned contract with 3 years + a PO (so 4 years really) isn't helping us, and really is only helping the Nuggets.

I'm with sidsid on this.

[bboyskinnylegs]

I don't think the Nuggets are good trading partners for us.

[Indeed]

I would prefer if we used Boucher as a part of a bigger trade, but I guess this is more of a get something instead of nothing. Picking up a 22 year old late first rounder sounds good in theory, but a torn Achilles at 22 is not a good sign for the rest of his career.

Brown salary would be used for a bigger trade, otherwise, Brown would stuck with us.

Nothing to say you couldnt combine them for a large trade, or keep Bouchers to be a 3rd team in a multi team trade. Bouchers expiring for a 22 year old with a torn achilles, and a bad player with a small, but unearned contract with 3 years + a PO (so 4 years really) isn't helping us, and really is only helping the Nuggets.

I'm with sidsid on this.

We are not interested in large trade, because Barnes will be taking on a raise. Taking on a large salary being non expiry will put us above the tax.

We have around 20m next year without trading anyone, so we will either need to trade Brown for an expiring, or we need to trade Boucher for an expiring. We are unlikely to combine all our expiring together for a longer contract, which will put us above the tax.

As for the Denver trade, I never like it, not sure why you talk like I am for that trade.

All I am saying is Brown can be on a bigger trade, but not together with Boucher due to going above the tax for next year.

[Indeed]

I don't think the Nuggets are good trading partners for us.

There isn't many, because most of the 1st for teams above the tax were already traded.
Furthermore, most teams have 2 years contract instead of expiring, so us being picky won't get much deal done this year.

[ConSarnit]

This is a Zeke salary dump trade for the Nuggets, and you don't do it for less than a first. His contract is relatively small and will only get smaller, but 4 years is too long. I'm hesitant on any salary dumps longer than 2 years.

Agreed. I'm not even sure if a single 1st is worth it. Nnaji is basically $23m in dead money until 2028. $20m+ usually costs a 1st to get off of but Nnaji is even worse because of how long his deal runs. I'd want a small asset for Boucher but the Nuggets don't even have a 2nd they can offer and Holmes isn't exactly enticing.

1st to take on Nnaji

2nd for Boucher (DEN doesn't even have a 2nd to trade)

[Saul Goodman]

Nnaji and Holmes is a good enough move. You’re not getting an actual 1st for Boucher so why not get a guy who was just picked in the first round albeit someone with injury concerns.

[ConSarnit]

I don't think the Nuggets are good trading partners for us.

There isn't many, because most of the 1st for teams above the tax were already traded.
Furthermore, most teams have 2 years contract instead of expiring, so us being picky won't get much deal done this year.

I think the Nugget are an especially bad partner. I don't expect a 1st for our bench guys but DEN doesn't even own a single 2nd they can send out. DEN is a bad trade partner for everyone because they are so asset poor.

[ConSarnit]

Nnaji and Holmes is a good enough move. You’re not getting an actual 1st for Boucher so why not get a guy who was just picked in the first round albeit someone with injury concerns.

Let's consider Holmes as 2nd round value due to his achilles tear. Nnaji has 3.5 years left at $7.5m and is terrible.

So it's:

Holmes for Boucher (maybe a fair trade)

Nnjai for nothing?

We're basically eating $22m in dead money over 3 years in this trade and getting nothing back for doing so.

[sidsid]

I don't think the Nuggets are good trading partners for us.

There isn't many, because most of the 1st for teams above the tax were already traded.
Furthermore, most teams have 2 years contract instead of expiring, so us being picky won't get much deal done this year.

Most of these teams do have a first to either trade or swap, it's just that they're around the 2031 draft year (like Denver has). Which is completely fine for salary dump type trades (See Spurs Harrison trade), and great value for the scenario. And 2 year dumps is exactly what we want in our cap space planning.

A lot of fans are just way too fixated on getting a pick right away (2025 or 26), which is how this FO got itself into this mess in the first place.

[Indeed]

I don't think the Nuggets are good trading partners for us.

There isn't many, because most of the 1st for teams above the tax were already traded.
Furthermore, most teams have 2 years contract instead of expiring, so us being picky won't get much deal done this year.

Most of these teams do have a first to either trade or swap, it's just that they're around the 2031 draft year (like Denver has). Which is completely fine for salary dump type trades (See Spurs Harrison trade), and great value for the scenario. And 2 year dumps is exactly what we want in our cap space planning.

A lot of fans are just way too fixated on getting a pick right away (2025 or 26), which is how this FO got itself into this mess in the first place.

It depends on the 2 year dumps. Barnes will get his raise, and we can at most take 25m before tax, I believe.
We certainly can take a future pick, but a salary dump and long future pick doesn't help the morale of the team on being competitive (even though we clearly won't be competitive and fight for a playoff spot).

For sure the OKC did that path in taking unwanted big contract (back then Chris Paul), while San Antonio only managed it when it has a generational talent. Different FO may have their own strategy, I guess.

[Tha Cynic]

There's a pretty good fit for Boucher

[ForeverTFC]

Trade season is upon us and Boucher showing out at the right time.

Several teams have Raptors forward Chris Boucher on their radar ahead of the trade deadline, SNY’s Ian Begley reports. Begley writes that some within the Nuggets organization, in particular, are fans of Boucher, who entered Thursday averaging 9.9 points and 4.7 rebounds per game but has only played nine minutes combined in his last two outings entering Thursday. While the big man is averaging a modest 17.1 minutes per game on the season, he received first quarter minutes in Cleveland on Thursday and finished the game with 23 points and 12 rebounds.

https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2025/01/atlantic-notes-nets-johnson-boucher-yabusele-embiid.html

Zeke Nanji and DaRon Holmes would work. Both add some PF depth. I actually watched Holmes in Utah two weeks ago during shootaround and he looked good. Nanji has Nigerian parents so you know there will be interest.

I would prefer if we used Boucher as a part of a bigger trade, but I guess this is more of a get something instead of nothing. Picking up a 22 year old late first rounder sounds good in theory, but a torn Achilles at 22 is not a good sign for the rest of his career.

Get whatever you can. Though I assume they'll push to the deadline to give themselves optionality if a bigger trade presents itself.

[sidsid]

There isn't many, because most of the 1st for teams above the tax were already traded.
Furthermore, most teams have 2 years contract instead of expiring, so us being picky won't get much deal done this year.

Most of these teams do have a first to either trade or swap, it's just that they're around the 2031 draft year (like Denver has). Which is completely fine for salary dump type trades (See Spurs Harrison trade), and great value for the scenario. And 2 year dumps is exactly what we want in our cap space planning.

A lot of fans are just way too fixated on getting a pick right away (2025 or 26), which is how this FO got itself into this mess in the first place.

It depends on the 2 year dumps. Barnes will get his raise, and we can at most take 25m before tax, I believe.
We certainly can take a future pick, but a salary dump and long future pick doesn't help the morale of the team on being competitive (even though we clearly won't be competitive and fight for a playoff spot).

For sure the OKC did that path in taking unwanted big contract (back then Chris Paul), while San Antonio only managed it when it has a generational talent. Different FO may have their own strategy, I guess.

Agreed with the tax, very few scenarios where we dip into the tax for a dump. RJ/Jak/KO are in the trade if the salary is any bigger than Bruce's. But one of Davion/Bruce/Boucher will be moved for that 2 year dump if it does get back a 1st in any year. There's just really no reason not to. We triggered Thads option to fill money up to the tax that one year for example. That's what the dump accomplishes but also gets us a 1st.