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Los Angeles Lakers: 3 back-up power forwards to pursue in free agency

By Jason Reed

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 03: Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots a free throw against the Los Angeles Clippers at Crypto.com Arena on February 03, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 03: Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots a free throw against the Los Angeles Clippers at Crypto.com Arena on February 03, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

3. Chris Boucher

Chris Boucher is not someone who the Los Angeles Lakers are going to be able to sign at the minimum like the other two options on this list. Instead, Boucher would be a potential candidate for the Lakers to sign with the Taxpayer’s MLE, giving him a one-year, $6.4 million contract.

If Boucher would have fit the free-agent market last offseason he would have warranted a bigger deal as he was coming off the best season of his young professional career. The undrafted power forward averaged over 13 points per game while shooting 38.3% from three.

His numbers dipped this past season in Toronto as he averaged 9.4 points per game and shot a measly 29.7% from three. If the Lakers got that version of Boucher it would be an issue but the potential is there and if the Lakers trust in their coaching staff then they would go after Boucher.

Boucher is not going to demand a big market considering he turns 30 in January, is coming off of a down year and has not played outside the Raptors’ system. He certainly will not be worth the minimum but he can absolutely be had for the MLE.

At his best, Boucher would give the Lakers a solid defensive presence to play 20-25 minutes behind Anthony Davis that can help with the floor spacing. Despite being six-nine, Boucher is a pretty good rebounder and shot-blocker, so he could even play the five in some smaller lineups as well.

Boucher’s per-36 averages in the 2020-21 season were 20.3 points, 10.0 rebounds and 2.8 blocks. He was the only player in the entire league that season to average 20 or more points, 10 or more rebounds and 2.5 or more blocks per 36 minutes.

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If the Los Angeles Lakers got that player for the price of the MLE then it would be a massive win for the team.

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