Miami Heat: B/R touts Chris Boucher as potential free agent target

As the Miami Heat prepare to take on the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals, Bleacher Report is talking free agent targets.

The 2020 NBA playoffs are chugging along, with the Eastern Conference Finals starting up on Tuesday night between the Miami Heat and Boston Celtics. In the meantime, Bleacher Report is thinking ahead to the upcoming offseason and free agency.

In his latest article for the publication, titled 1 Player Every NBA Team Needs to Chase in Free Agency, writer Dan Favale suggested the Heat look into signing Chris Boucher:

"“Adjusting the scope and poking around someone such as Chris Boucher would be cleaner. The Raptors have his Early Bird rights, but they’re unlikely to fuss over his return if they’re also trying to maintain flexibility for 2021. And the Heat could use another frontline body even if neither (Kelly) Olynyk nor Meyers Leonard (unrestricted) leaves town.”"

Boucher is 27 years old, and entering restricted free agency after three seasons in Toronto. He’s played 62 games off of the bench for the Raptors this year, contributing on both ends.

Now, Boucher is not on the same level as an actual starter, like Danilo Gallinari. But take a second Heat fans, and think this one through. His Per-36 numbers suggest he may be primed for a larger role if given the chance: 18.1 points, 12.2 rebounds, 2.7 blocks, and one steal.

At the right price tag, he could make a lot of sense for the squad down in South Beach:

"“Boucher seems like someone who would instantly click in Miami. His three-point shooting is rocky, but he has the range to unlock five-out combinations or play next to another big. Supersized lineups featuring him and Bam Adebayo would guarantee plenty of switchability and verticality at the rim. Opponents shot 52 percent from point-blank range in the regular season when being challenged by Boucher–a top-20 mark among 130 players to face at least three such attempts per game.”"

To say the Miami Heat should chase Boucher is probably somewhat of a stretch. But this kind of signing makes a lot of sense if they do indeed lose out on Derrick Jones Jr, as is expected.

Other than that, don’t expect for Pat Riley and this front office to get in a bidding war with the Toronto Raptors of all franchises for Chris Boucher’s services. The two franchises will soon enter a bidding war as the two top suitors for Giannis Antetokounmpo’s services in 2021.

The Miami Heat and Boston Celtics will kick off the first of the NBA’s two Conference Finals series on Tuesday, with tip-off scheduled for 6:30 pm EST. Coverage will be provided by ESPN.