Toronto Raptors: Ranking all 5 starters for the 2021-22 season

Ranking Raptors starters: 5. C Khem Birch

After fizzling out in Orlando and being waived by the Magic, Khem Birch signed with the Raptors late last season. With the team playing out the stretch, he had an opportunity to showcase what a mistake the Magic had made.

Birch acquitted himself well in 19 games with the team. He averaged a career-high 11.9 points and 7.6 rebounds per game, swatting 1.2 shots per contest. He matched or exceeded his career-best scoring total several times and even showed some potential from three for the first time in his career, hitting 29 percent of his attempts.

Birch is particularly strong on the offensive boards. Through his two-stint season, Birch nabbed 174 offensive rebounds and sported an 11.6 offensive rebound percentage. Both of those ranked in the top 12 of the NBA.

Chris Boucher seems the most likely candidate to give Birch a push at the center position unless Nick Nurse decides to start a small lineup. Boucher recently had finger surgery, though, which may put him out for up to a month.

It’s not clear if Birch is going to be part of the team’s long-term plans. During the offseason, he turned 29 years old, so his prime is probably already nearing his past, although last season was his best in the league. He should be able to hold down a rotation spot for the immediate future.