Orlando Magic Trade Value Column 2018

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Category II — Let me think about it

13. Khem Birch (2 years, $2.2 million)

It seemed like the Orlando Magic signed Khem Birch on a whim. Most people were asking who this guy was when the team signed him. The next question was probably how the Magic would play him considering he was a center on a roster already loaded with centers.

Birch has struggled to find minutes. He did not enter the rotation fully until Nikola Vucevic went down with an injury and then Marreese Speights had to miss a game. He shined in that game and pushed his way into the rotation on his sheer effort.

That is what Birch brings, particularly on the defensive end. He might already be the Magic’s best interior defender and rim protector. Orlando has to find a way to get Birch minutes. Other teams are sure to see his value.

By some estimates, Birch was the best NBA prospect in Euroleague. If the Magic were to make him available or cut him loose, other teams would surely line up to sign him. He has proven that even in his short stint of meaningful playing time.

His minimum contract will make it more difficult to move him for anything meaningful.

12. Bismack Biyombo (3 years, $51 million)

There is no talking about Bismack Biyombo in the trade market without talking about his contract. Biyombo remains the highest paid player on the team and certainly falls short of making his mark.

He is getting more playing time now thanks to the injury to Vucevic. And there are plenty of moments where he looks like a big difference defensively. But the numbers suggest otherwise. The Magic have a 111.1 defensive rating with Biyombo on the floor, the worst mark among all the Magic’s bigs. And the team posts a team-worst 98.8 offensive rating with Biyombo on the floor.

It is clear that whatever benefits Biyombo gives the team, he drags the team down offensively. Quite simply, this is not a team built for success with Biyombo. They lack the spacing and shooting to get the job done on that end and take advantage of the backstop Biyombo provides.

That contract is huge. Perhaps one of the worst in the league — not the worst in the league, by any means though. And the Magic are going to have to wear that contract for some time. At least until it becomes an expiring deal. Then maybe *maybe* a team might be willing to take it on.

Just for the cap space, of course.

11. Shelvin Mack (2 years, $12 million)

There was a time when Shelvin Mack’s contract seemed like a bit of an albatross. He was not getting a ton of playing time and seemed like he did not fit the team as constructed. Mack was a professional, he came in did what he could. But his impact was somewhat muted.

Ultimately, Mack was a low risk. His contract was a two-year deal with the second year under a modest guarantee — a mere $1 million. That could make him attractive to a team looking for a quality backup point guard and a salary they could easily spin off.

Mack has really stepped his game up in recent weeks. In his last eight games entering Wednesday’s game against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Mack is averaging 9.8 points per game and 3.4 assists per game in 20.4 minutes per game. All this while shooting 63.0 percent from the floor.

Mack has always just been solid. He knows his role and how to play it. And he just does his job. Some team would surely find that valuable.

Especially now that he is making shots and scoring consistently. Mack has increased his value. And his contract looks incredibly valuable these days.