3:38 pm: The trade is official, according to NBA.com’s transaction log.
The Celtics acquired two-way player John Tonje from Utah in order to complete the deal, tweets Adam Himmelsbach of The Boston Globe. They also sent cash to the Jazz.
The Jazz intend to waive Boucher, according to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, who reports (via Twitter) that the big man should draw interest once he clears waivers.
12:08 pm: The Jazz are also acquiring Denver’s 2027 second-round pick from the Celtics in the deal, league sources tell Tony Jones of The Athletic (Twitter link). That’s the second-rounder Boston is receiving from Chicago in its Nikola Vucevic/Anfernee Simons swap.
11:29 am: The Jazz have agreed to acquire big man Chris Boucher in a trade with the Celtics, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania (Twitter link).
It’ll be a cost-cutting move for Boston, who are making a series of moves to get out of luxury tax territory.
The Jazz will be able to acquire Boucher using the minimum salary exception, since he’s on a one-year, minimum-salary deal. Utah will need to open up a roster spot in order to complete the move and will likely do that by waiving recently acquired guard Lonzo Ball, who isn’t expected to stick with the team.
It’s unclear whether Boucher remains with the Jazz either. If Utah is being incentivized to take on his expiring contract, the club could move on from him and eat the rest of his guaranteed salary to reopen its 15th roster spot.
Boucher, 33, spent seven seasons as a role player in Toronto before joining the Celtics as a free agent last summer. He was expected to help fill the hole in Boston’s frontcourt created by a series of offseason departures, but he struggled to crack the rotation, falling behind Neemias Queta and Luka Garza on the depth chart.
Boucher made just nine appearances for the Celtics, averaging 2.3 points and 2.0 rebounds in 10.4 minutes per night. Entering the season, his career averages were 8.9 PPG and 5.1 RPG with a .488/.339/.779 shooting line.