Chris Boucher was one of the Boston Celtics’ biggest additions this offseason after a disappointing playoff exit.
The Jason Tatumless Celtics were eliminated in the Eastern Conference semi-finals by the New York Knicks in six games.
The Boston front office then decided to completely rebuild its roster in 2026 when Tatum returned from an Achilles heel injury.
In the meantime, role players like Boucher will need to step up to keep the Celtics competitive without the best players.
And the big man is already well settled in his new home, mainly thanks to director Joe Matzla.
Chris Boucher revealed at his press conference that Joe Matzlla had recently attended the baptism before the 2025-26 NBA season.
This made a lot for Boucher, who is already comfortable in his new environment, due to the support he received from his coaches and teammates.
The former Toronto Raptors guy also explained that he is doing very well with Mazra as he is mostly “the same person.”
“Yeah, I feel like Joe and I are the same person. He’s a really mellow person. Obviously, when you know us, our characters come out more.
“He showed me it was family and brotherhood, and it wasn’t easy to move back and start over, but Joe really helped me.
“It’s a really warm welcome here and it’s much easier to start training camp.”
Boucher is lucky to have already known two Celtics players, Payton Pritchard and Derrick White, before moving to Boston.
He is now in a relationship with Jaylen Brown, particularly Jason Tatum, who is busy rehabilitating due to his injuries.
“I played in college with Payton, and Payton was one of the first people to hit me,” Boucher continued. “Obviously we won some championships in college, and that communication has already happened.
“Jason is always here to rehabilitate him, so I’ve always been around him and chose his brain to whatever I could for this team, Jalen Brown too.
“It was much easier to come here because Derrick White was in Colorado when I was in Oregon too… Sometimes I feel like I don’t know how to approach these people, and it was much easier here.