Final Grade
Khem Birch has always just needed an opportunity to show what he can do. That has always been what he fought for. Circumstance always seemed to bury him in the bench. The Orlando Magic were simply more invested in the guys ahead of him in the depth chart, even if he was the better option.
Khem Birch proved he was a better option than Bismack Biyombo in supplanting him from the rotation. And then when Mohamed Bamba went down with an injury, Khem Birch stepped in seamlessly and gave the Magic a much-needed defensive presence.
Birch should be in line for the financial rewards that come with it. And, he has to hope, a more sure role either with the Magic or wherever he signs. He has earned that.
Birch did exactly what he did in his first year with the Magic. When given the opportunity, he defended well and rolled hard to the basket. That is what he had to do. That is who he is and what he can bring.
There is no reason to think that will not continue to translate. If Birch keeps doing what he does, he will continue to carve out a NBA career. Birch is undoubtedly a NBA player at this point.
He built that level. The big question for Birch is to find out where he can still improve. He worked on his jumper throughout the offseason and even in practice, but rarely brought it out for games. That was not really his role. He is a roller not a popper on pick and rolls.
That is a nitpicky thing. If Birch can keep his athleticism at its current levels and continue to be a disrupter in pick and rolls, able to switch out quickly onto guards and challenge shots at the rim, he will continue to be a strong player in the post for whoever ends up signing him.
As a fallback plan for the possibility Nikola Vucevic leaves, the Magic could do a lot worse than match Khem Birch’s contract in restricted free agent. They should certainly feel comfortable keeping him around Orlando if it comes to that.
Birch should never have to worry about his place in the NBA again.