Stock up, Stock down after Raptors’ uneven second half start

Stock Down: Khem Birch

Birch has kept his starting role with VanVleet and Anunoby both on the mend, but he has done very little to prevent Achiuwa from passing him on the hypothetical depth chart. One solid game against the Nets shouldn’t overshadow the role he played in Toronto’s blowouts.

Birch has made six shots since the All-Star break, and five of them came in one game against Brooklyn. Birch played just a handful of minutes against Orlando due to the fact he was a complete non-factor on offense while getting bullied on defense.

Toronto Raptors big Khem Birch can be a liability on offense.

Birch’s trademark floater is completely broken and it looks like he’s wearing iron inside of his shoes. While Achiuwa has brought springiness and efficiency to the table in the second half, Birch is making his three-year contract look worse with every goose egg he throws up.

We’re not asking Birch to play like Siakam. We’re asking him to provide something on offense, even in a very limited capacity. If he continues to see minutes, Nurse risks running this team even further into the dirt on the back of a disappointing performance out of his frontcourt.