The Orlando Magic re-signed Khem Birch, finalizing the return of last year’s roster and established chemistry to build from last season’s playoffs showing.
Every team — or smart team — in sports enters the offseason with a plan to improve their roster or roster outlook for the future.
Some try to sign the high-end free agents to put them over the edge or find role players to complement their stars. Some opt for addition by subtraction, trading or waiving a player who was not ideal for the team mindset.
And others, like the Orlando Magic, decide to keep their team intact from last year and bet on chemistry and continuity.
The Magic have had a theme all offseason of rewarding the players that led them to last season’s playoffs berth, re-signing Nikola Vucevic, Terrence Ross, Michael Carter-Williams and now Khem Birch, who reportedly agreed to a two-year, $6-million contract to return to the Magic.
Khem Birch likely completes Orlando’s offseason with only one new addition to the immediate rotation in Al-Farouq Aminu. Birch is not a heavy-minutes player but provides energy and athleticism in the frontcourt. He is a stable backup to Nikola Vucevic and Mohamed Bamba.
Birch averaged 4.8 points and 3.8 rebounds in 50 appearances for Orlando last season in a reserve role for the Magic.
Birch’s impact will vary on Mohamed Bamba’s availability and health. He is coming off a stress fracture to his left tibia and only played one game in the NBA Summer League before getting shut down. Regardless of if Bamba misses time or not, having solid depth is never a bad thing and Birch understands this is his situation after spending the last two seasons in Orlando.
That continuity is what Orlando is counting on to further their upward trajectory and to build off last season’s playoff appearance. All of their signings point to the front office and team buying in to what is being built in Orlando. Not only to contend for the playoffs, but also to establish a stable environment for the young core to continue developing.
Roles are underrated for developing players. It is an eye-opening experience to go from a college freshman or sophomore to the NBA. Learning to live on your own, manage your funds, be on the road all the time and so on. It is a difficult change in life to adapt to, on the fly, while practicing and working to improve your game as the whole league watches you.
Front offices, like Orlando, that double and triple down on retaining the same players and coaching staffs put their young players in the best positions to succeed if the locker room gets along and understands their roles.
Jonathan Isaac and Aaron Gordon can take their time developing knowing they do not need to do everything from a young age. They can hone their shots and ball handling in practice while focusing on their strengths and what they are asked to do in games, like play great defense and spot-up (for now) offensively.
It is not just the rookies who know what is expected of them either. Every player understands the pecking order and what they are supposed to be doing on the court. There is a clear lead ball handler, main offensive threat, 3-and-D guys, sixth man scorer, high-effort guys to complement them, everything.
Every player on this roster has a role, which makes life easier for the players knowing what is expected of them when they walk into the arena.
Birch falls into this category of the Magic opting for chemistry and continuity for their team building philosophy.
Birch is not projected to be a top-level producer for the Magic. But he has been in the program for two seasons, will not take away playing time from the youth and was a cheap signing to keep the chemistry of the Magic stable and solid.