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4 Toronto Raptors who won’t be back next season after playoff exit

By Mike Luciano

TORONTO, ON - JANUARY 23: Fred VanVleet #23 of the Toronto Raptors leads the team in a huddle (Photo by Mark Blinch/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - JANUARY 23: Fred VanVleet #23 of the Toronto Raptors leads the team in a huddle (Photo by Mark Blinch/Getty Images) /
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Khem Birch, Toronto Raptors
PHOENIX, ARIZONA – MARCH 11: Khem Birch #24 of the Toronto Raptors (Photo by Kelsey Grant/Getty Images) /

2. Khem Birch

Birch earned himself a three-year contract after impressing down in Tampa. While the Raptors gave him that contract with the expectation that he would be a nice veteran presence down low to offset Toronto’s funky roster construction, he has been a serious disappointment.

Birch is averaging just 4.5 points and 4.3 rebounds per game this season. This is right on par with what he was doing in Orlando before he was bought out. On top of the fact that Birch has been a negative asset on offense, he is such an incongruous fit on this roster.

The Toronto Raptors should try to trade for Khem Birch?

Birch is not to be an attractive target due to the fact he is owed so much money, but the Raptors can’t keep starting a player that is such an incongruous fit on the roster. It makes for some odd lineups and stymies the development of youngster Precious Achiuwa off of the bench.

Birch gave it everything he had this season. He was constantly struggling with injuries while trying to get into a rhythm. However, he just isn’t the right backup big at this moment in time for this team. He’ll need to look somewhere else if he wants to recapture the stats he had in the Tampa season.