In a moved aimed at trimming their luxury-tax bill, the Boston Celtics are trading Chris Boucher to the Utah Jazz, a team source told The Athletic.
For the Celtics, the trade was financially motivated. Including luxury taxes, they will save millions of dollars by shedding Boucher’s $3.3 million salary. Considering his minimal role, it was likely an easy decision for them to trade him.
After signing with the Celtics as a free agent, Boucher, 33, started the season in the rotation. However, he quickly lost all of his playing time. After Nov. 23, he played in just one game — and his four minutes against the Kings on Jan. 30 came at the end of a blowout win. Boucher even remained on the bench when the Celtics frontcourt was shorthanded, losing minutes to Amari Williams, a rookie on a two-way contract.
The Celtics could look to sign another big man to replace Boucher, though they traded for Nikola Vučević on Tuesday.