Sixers Interested in Former Nick Nurse Favorite Ahead of Trade Deadline

With the NBA Trade deadline one week from today, the Sixers are in an interesting spot.  Entering Thursday's game against the Sacramento Kings, the team sits just one game out of the play-in tournament and just three-and-a-half games behind the No. 2 seed in the East.

The team could look to add some more rebounding, with Boston Celtics big man Chris Boucher a potential target, according to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.  Per Scotto, Boucher has drawn exploratory interest from the Sixers, Hawks, Suns, and a few other teams.

Boston could explore the trade market for Chris Boucher and Xavier Tillman.

Boucher has drawn exploratory interest from the Hawks, 76ers, Suns, and other teams, league sources told HoopsHype.

A Familiar Face for Nick Nurse

Boucher, who played for Nick Nurse in Toronto for five seasons from 2018 to 2023, won a title in 2019.  He has appeared in just eight games this season with the Celtics, and has not appeared in a game for Boston since Nov. 23, dealing with back issues, illness, and has missed time for personal reasons.

Rebounding and Athleticism on a Budget

Since entering the league in 2017 with the Golden State Warriors, Boucher has averaged 8.7 points and 5.1 rebounds in 17.6 minutes per game.  He is an athletic forward who could help the Sixers' rebounding issues and could likely be had for a small price. Boucher could play with or behind Joel Embiid to give the Sixers some more rebounding as a reserve forward or center.

The 6-8 forward is 33 years old and currently has a one-year, $3.3 million deal that he signed with Boston during the offseason.