3 Toronto Raptors who could lose their roster spot midseason

CLEVELAND, OHIO - DECEMBER 26: D.J. Wilson #9 of the Toronto Raptors passes while under pressure from Lauri Markkanen #24 and Justin Anderson #1 of the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on December 26, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers defeated the Raptors 144-99. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 16: Khem Birch #24 of the Toronto Raptors (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images) /

1. Khem Birch

Birch had the misfortune of getting sidelined with tons of destabilizing injuries throughout his second season in Toronto. However, even a healthy Birch seemed like a square peg trying to fit into a round hole that Toronto needed filled. His style of play simply didn’t mesh.

After becoming a double-double machine in Tampa following his buyout in Orlando, Birch looked like the same garden-variety big man that he was with the Magic. With Precious Achiuwa having developed nicely and Christian Koloko coming in as a hyped rookie, the path to consistent minutes for Birch is murky.

Khem Birch may not fit the Toronto Raptors.

Birch still has two years left on his contract and is on the wrong side of 30, meaning that the value Toronto can get back for him is going to be limited. That shouldn’t stop them from trying, as there could be a team who believes they have the goods needed to restore his past form.

Birch may have been helpful in Tampa, as he was an upgrade over Alex Len and Aron Baynes. Unfortunately, the Raptors might decide to get younger and more explosive in the frontcourt at the expense of Birch. If he is dealt away, Raptors fans should root for him to catch on somewhere else.

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