Last Toronto Raptors player from 2019 Championship team keeps getting benched
Toronto Raptors forward Chris Boucher has pretty much seen it all since joining the franchise nearly seven years ago.
The longest-tenured player on the roster, who's suited up for 406 games with Toronto, Boucher's one of the few people who have stuck around to see out the Raptors rebuild over the past few seasons.
But while he's played in Toronto more than any of his teammates, suiting up isn't exactly something he's doing right now.
Boucher has sat out the last seven contests, six of which were listed as coach's decisions, with one absence on March 7 related to a wisdom tooth extraction. In total, Boucher has 14 "did not play" designations on his game log this season, despite not dealing with any reported major injuries.
When he has played, Boucher has been one of the team's most reliable bench contributors, averaging 10 points, 4.5 rebounds and 0.7 assists in 50 games this season.
As per Toronto head coach Darko Rajakovic, the team met with the 32-year-old to discuss his role with the organization.
"We did talk to Chris, he's aware [he'll be sitting more often], he's staying ready, he's staying prepared," Rajakovic said following Toronto's 118-105 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday night. "Every single day, he's in the gym putting a lot of work in."
While Rajakovic didn't name who else might've been in the meeting, the choice of the word "we" implies that other members of the coaching staff and front office have been communicating with him about his future.
Boucher is in the final year of a three-year, $35-million contract, as per Spotrac. He saw himself in several trade rumours over the past season but remained in Toronto after the trade deadline last month.
On Wednesday night, the Raptors were limited to just nine healthy players, Boucher included. But with everyone on the roster — sans Garrett Temple — having less experience in the NBA than him, Toronto's staff is continuing to play younger players in the stretch drive of the season.
"We're really trying to give opportunities for those young guys, and take a look at them," Rajakovic added.
The Raptors have 16 games left this season, beginning with a four-game road trip that starts in Utah tomorrow. Only time will tell if those are Boucher's last as a Raptor.
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