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Time is right for Khem Birch to return to the NBA

By Philip Rossman-Reich

ISTANBUL, TURKEY - MAY 21: James Nunnally, #21 of Fenerbahce Istanbul competes with Khem Birch, #2 of Olympiacos Piraeus during the Championship Game 2017 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four between Fenerbahce Istanbul v Olympiacos Piraeus at Sinan Erdem Dome on May 21, 2017 in Istanbul, Turkey. (Photo by Tolga Adanali/EB via Getty Images)
ISTANBUL, TURKEY - MAY 21: James Nunnally, #21 of Fenerbahce Istanbul competes with Khem Birch, #2 of Olympiacos Piraeus during the Championship Game 2017 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four between Fenerbahce Istanbul v Olympiacos Piraeus at Sinan Erdem Dome on May 21, 2017 in Istanbul, Turkey. (Photo by Tolga Adanali/EB via Getty Images) /
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Khem Birch struggled to find his NBA fit after going undrafted after college. After a successful run in Euroleague, he is jumping back on and ready to go.

The NBA is a zero-sum game. Wins and losses. Limited roster spots. And the like.

The window for each player’s opportunity is small. And rarely is there a second chance. When the NBA writes a player off, it is tough to find their way back.

Khem Birch knows this better than most. A second chance to make the NBA seemed like it was something that would fall out of reach.

The 11th-ranked player out of high school bounced between the Pittsburgh Panthers and UNLV Rebels in school. He went undrafted and settled in with the Sioux Falls Skyforce in the Miami Heat’s organization. He averaged 11.1 points per game and 9.5 rebounds per game in the 2015 season in the D-League.

Birch did not stick. The NBA wheel did not turn for him. And he left to play in Europe, ending up last year with Olympiacos in Greece.

Things have changed for Birch since that day. Like any person would, he matured and changed his game. He proved himself all over again.

The 24-year-old came back to the NBA ready for this opportunity. And the Orlando Magic were there to sign him.

"“It’s been my dream for a long time since I was a kid,” Birch told Orlando Magic Daily. “I went overseas for a couple of years. I realized I was ready right now. I wasn’t ready a few years ago. That experience has helped me a lot. It has made me a more mature person. Now I think I’m ready.”"

Birch averaged 5.7 points and 5.0 rebounds per game in Greek League play and 7.3 points and 5.7 rebounds per game in Euroleague play. Olympiacos reached the finals of Euroleague with Birch as the starting power forward.

A lot of what Birch does on the floor is the versatile, switching defensive play that has become a calling card for bigs in the modern NBA. The 6-foot-9 power forward can switch onto guards and blow up pick and rolls while being able to chase guards for blocks and defend the post.

Birch’s game expanded a lot during his time overseas. But he ultimately wanted to pursue his dreams in the NBA, leaving behind the sometimes crazy world of Euroleague basketball.

There are no promises things will be different this time around. Birch left a guaranteed contract in Greece and the Magic even had to help him with his buyout from his club to get him to the NBA. And even here, it does not seem like Birch has many guarantees he will stick.

"“It means a lot, but at the end of the day, this is just the beginning,” Birch told Orlando Magic Daily. “I’m not guaranteed yet. I have to come out here and play like it’s my last. This is a very good opportunity and I’m going to take advantage of it.”"

Birch will have a long way to go. The Magic have a loaded center group with Nikola Vucevic, Bismack Biyombo and Marreese Speights. And at power forward, the team has its two centerpieces in Aaron Gordon and Jonathan Isaac. Minutes and a defined role could be hard to come by unless the team makes a move to free up a roster spot.

It does raise the question of why this is the right situation for him or the right time for him to return to the states.

Orlando Magic
Orlando Magic /

Orlando Magic

But Birch was considered one of the best NBA prospects playing in Euroleague. And his time to make the leap appeared to be now.

As much as anything, he had to go over there to refine his skills. He said playing overseas he improved his IQ and added 20 pounds of muscle since he was last in the NBA. Birch was considered skinny when he was with the SkyForce. Now he has matured physically too.

Birch said he feels he fits in great with the team. He is someone who can defend multiple positions. That length and versatility is something the Magic have targeted. It is no surprise the Magic were among the teams that inquired about Birch.

It is hard to say how much Birch can contribute to the Magic in the team’s now loaded front court. Finding minutes for him will be difficult. Both sides seem willing to have the patience to get there though.

Birch gave up a lot to leave Olympiacos — a settled rotation role on a championship-caliber team — to give the NBA one more shot. For so many players, that NBA shot is the dream.

Next: Orlando Magic's expectations, goals become clear

And in the NBA, that opportunity to be on the league’s radar rarely comes around again. Birch took his chance. Now he will have to prove if he is ready to stick this time.