One of the few bright spots in what was a miserable season for the Toronto Raptors was the development of center Khem Birch, a Canadian native who only became available became available after the Orlando Magic parted ways with him.
Birch, a free agent after this season, started to turn a corner with the Raptors, as his 11.9 points and 7.6 rebounds per game with the Raptors show that when given some solid minutes, he can be a tremendous rebounder and interior defender while finishing off some close looks inside.
Birch might choose to stick in Canada with Nurse, who will be his coach on the Canadian national team, but his head might be turned elsewhere, as teams could give him a chance to either make more money to assume a greater degree of offensive responsibility.
Birch did hint at the possibility of potentially turning some money down and coming back to Toronto. Birch, per Josh Lewenberg, said that fit is as important as money, claiming that his brief stint in Toronto helped convince skeptical decision-makers around the league that he could be a starting big man in this league.
Birch says fit is as important as money in free agency. Sounds like his preference is to return to the Raptors.
— Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) May 16, 2021
"I got lucky. If I would've stayed in Orlando people probably would've thought I'm just a regular bench big who can't score. I'm fortunate these guys believed in me."
Is Khem Birch coming back to the Toronto Raptors?
Birch presents a very interesting problem for the Raptors. Toronto will have a ton of cap space to improve this team with, and center was the biggest issue for the Raptors despite the addition of Birch. In addition to the possibility of one of their draft picks being used on a big man, would signing Birch end up being a stopgap?
The free agent market isn’t exactly overflowing with great long-term fixes at the center spot outside of a few studs, so running it back with Birch might end up being the best way for the Raptors to replicate the results their full-healthy lineup was able to pile up.
If you’re optimistic about Birch, you should be jumping for joy at the thought of him coming back to Toronto. With his best basketball in the windshield, Birch should be able to provide the rebounding, shot-blocking, and passing that Toronto needed from a center. Why spend big on a free agent when Birch can be had for a much cheaper price?
Birch coming back to the Raptors in any capacity would be a tremendous signing, but him choosing to fill the starting center role at a discounted price due to Toronto’s trust in him would be a coup for the front office. Birch can keep growing his game in Toronto while dragging this team back to the postseason.