2018-19 Orlando Magic Player Evaluations: Khem Birch proves he belongs in the NBA

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Khem Birch, Orlando Magic, Jahlil Okafor, New Orleans Pelicans

ORLANDO, FL – MARCH 20: Khem Birch #24 of the Orlando Magic shoots the ball against the New Orleans Pelicans on March 20, 2019 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) /

2020 Outlook

Khem Birch has worked hard to get his NBA shot. The Orlando Magic gave him a chance but the roster precluded him from getting great playing time. When he did get his chance, he delivered.

If there is one conclusion everyone should be able to see is that Birch is a rotation-caliber center. He may not be a great center or someone who can start every night, but he can contribute to a winning team. He proved that much in his short time in Orlando, especially this year.

And that should set him up to make some kind of money this year. Some real money. And a chance to carve out a role that really works for him. That is all a player like Birch can hope for.

2017-18 Orlando Magic Player Evaluations: Khem Birch. light. Related Story

Birch will be a restricted free agent this summer. That will give the Magic the right to match if they offer him a qualifying offer. And Birch should get some money. At least part of the mid-level exception from some team. Maybe even all of it around $8 million per year.

That seems a bit exorbitant, but this is a summer where a lot of teams have some money to spend — if not max money, then certainly enough to bolster their bench and overpay on some bigs.

The Magic should have some thought to bringing him back and matching him. That is only if they feel like Nikola Vucevic will walk in free agency.

The Magic’s situation at center with Mohamed Bamba waiting in the wings could leave the team willing to use a stopgap option.

Birch would fit that bill. They know what he brings and that he will maintain the team’s strong defense. The offense has to change with Vucevic out anyway and Birch should fill in off the bench if and when Bamba is ready in 2020 or beyond.

Birch is not a bad option to return to the team. He will not make enough in the market most likely to be better than most starters. So if Bamba is close but the Magic want to keep some competition without committing to Vucevic, Birch remains a solid option.

They know what they will get from him in his solid defense and pick and roll game. And that has value.