Canadian Khem Birch Re-Signs with Toronto Raptors
The Toronto Raptors re-signed Montreal native Khem Birch on Thursday for a reported three-year deal worth $18M. The 6'9" center was released by the Orlando Magic in late April and immediately picked up by the Raptors, where he put up the best numbers of his career - albeit a small sample size. In 19 games with the Raps (17 starts), Birch averaged 11.9 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 1.2 bpg on 55.6 FG% on 9.0 FGA per game - all of which represented career-highs.
Once the Raptors released Aaron Baynes on Wednesday, all signs pointed to them re-signing Birch. Baynes was disappointing in his only year with the Raptors, as he averaged 6.1 ppg and 5.2 rpg on only 44.1 FG%.Free agent C Khem Birch is returning to the Toronto Raptors on a three-year, $20M contract, his agent Austin Brown of @caa_basketball tells ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 5, 2021
Aaron Baynes will be waived today by 5 pm or the the $7.35 m he is owed for next season becomes fully guaranteed. If the Raptors do guarantee the deal it will be to use it as part of a trade package as the team works through the minutiae of a potential Goran Dragic trade.
— Michael Grange (@michaelgrange) August 4, 2021
Khem Birch's agent claims that Birch was offered 'significantly' more money from other teams. Somewhere around $18 million a year from 3 unnamed western conference teams. https://t.co/PNUc3aADMc
— Simon Stiles (@SimonStilesNBA) August 5, 2021
Photo Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
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