Warriors Make Decision on Former Big in Buyout Market

The Golden State Warriors may be juggling health questions in the frontcourt, but one name that won’t be entering the conversation is Chris Boucher.

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Warriors Have No Interest in Chris Boucher, per Report

Despite speculation that the Golden State Warriors could use their open 15th roster spot to add veteran size, the organization has no interest in signing free-agent center Chris Boucher, according to Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints.

“While some had speculated that the Warriors would look to bring back Boucher, who actually began his career with the Dubs during the 2017–18 season, there have been no conversations on this front, sources said,” Siegel reported Friday.

The clarification comes at a time when Golden State has been carefully managing the availability of its veteran big men, prompting outside questions about whether reinforcements could be coming.

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Why Boucher Was Linked — and Why the Warriors Passed

Boucher’s name surfaced largely because of familiarity. The 6-foot-8 forward-center originally entered the league with Golden State on a two-way contract during the 2017–18 season before finding his footing with the Toronto Raptors.

Over seven seasons in Toronto, Boucher carved out a reputation as an energetic bench big, peaking as one of the more productive reserve frontcourt players in the league. As recently as last season, he averaged 10.0 points and 4.5 rebounds in 17.2 minutes per game.

But his production — and role — dipped sharply this year. After signing a veteran minimum deal with the Boston Celtics, Boucher appeared in just nine games, averaging 2.3 points and 2.0 rebounds while shooting 32% from the field and 13.3% from three. He was later dealt to the Utah Jazz at the trade deadline as part of a cost-cutting move to avoid the luxury tax.

For the Warriors, those numbers — combined with their internal depth — were evidently not enough to justify a reunion.

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Warriors Managing Frontcourt Health Internally

Golden State’s lack of interest in Boucher comes as the team navigates injuries and workload management up front.

Kristaps Porziņģis recently missed a brief road trip due to illness, while Draymond Green has been in and out of the lineup with a back issue. Veteran center Al Horford has also yet to play in back-to-back games as the Warriors carefully manage his minutes.

Still, head coach Steve Kerr indicated this week that Porziņģis’ return could be imminent.

“He’s getting better,” Kerr said Tuesday in New Orleans. “He’s just been really sick, but making some improvements.”

Kerr later emphasized that the absence was unrelated to Porziņģis’ Achilles tendinitis and expressed optimism about a potential return against the Los Angeles Lakers.

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Horford, Post Providing Stability

While waiting on Porziņģis, Golden State has received encouraging signs elsewhere.

Horford, 39, appears to have turned a corner after battling sciatica early in the season. In the Warriors’ last two wins, he started and averaged 16.0 points, 5.0 assists, 4.0 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 1.5 blocks, shooting an eye-popping 61.5% from three-point range.

Second-year center Quinten Post has also seized his opportunity. With Green and Porziņģis sidelined, Post delivered 12 points, eight rebounds and two blocks in a 133–112 rout of the Memphis Grizzlies, further strengthening his case as a reliable depth piece.

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G League Offers Another Option

Instead of turning to Boucher, the Warriors have quietly re-engaged Charles Bassey through their G League pipeline after his 10-day contract with the Philadelphia 76ers expired.

Bassey wasted no time making an impression. In 33 minutes for the Santa Cruz Warriors against the Rip City Remix, he posted 24 points, 10 rebounds, two assists, two steals and one block, shooting 11-of-18 from the field.

The 25-year-old has already appeared in 116 NBA games since entering the league in 2021, including a three-year stint with the San Antonio Spurs, and is averaging 19.2 points, 10.6 rebounds and 2.2 blocks in the G League this season.

For now, the Warriors appear content to ride with their current quartet of Green, Porziņģis, Horford and Post, supplemented by internal evaluations rather than external additions.

Alder Almo is a sports journalist covering the NBA for Heavy.com. He has more than 20 years of experience in local and international media, including broadcast, print and digital. He previously covered the Knicks for Empire Sports Media and the NBA for Off the Glass. Alder is from the Philippines and is now based in Jersey City, New Jersey. More about Alder Almo