3 Orlando Magic players most likely to be traded at the deadline

Khem Birch

Khem Birch is solid. Very solid.

Averaging 5.4 points, one assist and 5.2 rebounds marks a career year for the Canadian center. He has been Steve Clifford’s go-to guy off the bench and has averaged 20 minutes per game in 41 contests.

His growth as a screener and as a hustle player is sure to have impressed teams across the league who are always in need of a low-cost center.

Birch is making $3 million this year and will become a free agent this coming year. His trade value is perhaps the highest it has been his whole career. The Magic should capitalize on this opportunity.

Teams like the Houston Rockets, Charlotte Hornets and even the Golden State Warriors are in need of a center like Birch so he may be on the move at the deadline.

Not only will the Magic be able to pair Khem Birch in a trade for a more impactful player, but this would make way for Mohamed Bamba.

Bamba has proven, in limited minutes he is ready for a bigger role. Clifford’s reluctance to play the former lottery pick continues to boggle the minds of fans but with the Magic in a tailspin, a prime opportunity has arisen.

Trading Birch will allow the Magic to fully assess what they have in Bamba and whether or not they want to keep or trade him.  His per 36 minutes stats are promising. 16.2 points, 3.2 blocks, 13.8 rebounds. While his three-point shooting is questionable (28.1-percent), he has value. The third-year center simply needs time on the floor to gain rhythm and confidence.

Where the Magic choose to go at the deadline is unknown but maybe trading key players will give the Magic the freedom they have so desperately needed.