2018 Orlando Magic Player Outlook: Khem Birch

After a strong season in Europe, Khem Birch signed with the Orlando Magic. Birch is not a lock to make the final roster but based on his play in Europe he may be the favorite to win Orlando’s 15th spot.

Though it may not have been more than an afterthought in the Orlando Magic’s busy offseason, the signing of Khem Birch could loom the most important signing the team made this summer.

Khem Birch, signed on the same day as veterans Marreese Speights and Arron Afflalo did not get the fanfare the aforementioned veterans received. Why? The simple answer is Birch is a young and emerging player, as opposed to an established NBA role player. He was a bit of a man of mystery, going undrafted out of UNLV and making his name in Euroleague more than the NBA or D-League.

That lack of hoopla is also what makes Birch the potential steal of the bunch.

Khem Birch, at 24 years old, is six years younger than Marreese Speights and seven years younger than Arron Afflalo. He still has plenty of room to grow. That is what the Magic are banking on. Especially since Birch was a bit of a late bloomer. He did not really have a breakout professional season until last year with Olympiacos.

Birch established himself as one of the best bigs playing overseas last year. In fact, Birch was mentioned in the same breath as Ekpe Udoh (who was signed by the Utah Jazz) and former Orlando Magic center Gustavo Ayon.

It may not have been evident from his 7.3 points and 5.6 rebounds per game for Olympiacos last year in Eurobasket. But he was key to the team’s defense and helping them reach the semifinals of the tournament.

Birch made his presence felt with his length, athleticism and versatility. As a power forward, he could switch onto guards on pick and rolls and still hold his own in the paint and on the glass. Those skills established him in that group among the best European prospects ready to come to the NBA.

Birch previously flirted with his NBA dreams in 2014 with the Miami Heat. But the Heat cut him before the season began. He played out his season in the D-League with the Sioux Falls Skyforce.

Birch has yet to be active for a single NBA game, so it is safe to say he is still hungry. When he first arrived in Orlando, he said he needed to mature a bit to take advantage of the NBA opportunity. It seems everyone around the league recognizes he has NBA talent.

Making it to the NBA is important to him. This was an opportunity he wanted to pursue. Remember, Birch passed up on a $1 million-plus contract in Europe to sign with Orlando for less. And he is not even guaranteed a roster spot.

Now comes the difficult part: Finding a fit for Khem Birch on the team.

Birch possesses desirable NBA skills, especially on defense. Birch has the athleticism and length to switch onto perimeter players effectively. He also has proven to be a very good rebounder in both Europe and at the college level.

Offensively, Birch is a little bit challenged in the sense he does not have much range. Birch is definitely more of an energy player on that end. He will set screens, catch alley-oops and putback missed shots. But he is not going to space the floor or create offense on his own.

But these offensive limitations force Birch into one realistic NBA position: Undersized center.

Unfortunately for Khem Birch, the Magic already possess a plethora of centers, including Bismack Biyombo, who offers a similar skill set to Birch but with a much larger contract. Nikola Vucevic figures to be Orlando’s starting center to begin the season, and Marreese Speights brings the Magic some extremely valuable floor spacing to the team.

Those are long odds to find the court. And Birch will have to work just to make the roster.

If Birch makes the squad, one would think he would spend a lot of time in the G-League to keep him fresh. His contract only has a small guarantee which would open him up to taking the second two-way contract slot.

Where things get interesting is if the Magic decide to part ways with one of their other centers. If that happens, a spot at center and possible playing time open up for Birch, who fits Orlando’s switch-heavy defensive scheme fairly well.

Birch seems like he fits the new model of player the Magic are trying to build around and accumulate. He is the kind of big that would fit in the modern NBA. Birch still has to prove himself in the NBA. He has waited for this time to make it to the NBA.

It is unclear if the Magic can afford him that opportunity considering their glut of bigs. It may take a full year to get that opportunity he has waited for. When he does, the question then becomes whether his Euroleague success can translate to the NBA.

Next: 2018 Orlando Magic Player Outlook: Evan Fournier

As the Magic continue to transform their roster, Birch may play a role. Or, at least, Birch may represent what the future of the Magic looks like.