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For the right price, Khem Birch could be a great addition for the Utah Jazz

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 30: Khem Birch #24 of the Orlando Magic is seen before the game against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on March 30, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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 Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 30: Khem Birch #24 of the Orlando Magic is seen before the game against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on March 30, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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 Michael Hickey/Getty Images)

Orlando Magic center Khem Birch is set to hit free agency in July. He’ll likely be a restricted free agent, with many teams in pursuit. One of those teams should be the Utah Jazz, if the price is right.

Khem Birch has written himself a nice story en route to earning an NBA career. Undrafted in 2014, the former UNLV star had three stints between the G-League, Greece and Turkey before finally getting his NBA opportunity.

When Birch was signed by the Orlando Magic, Jeff Weltman (Magic President) noted that he kept tabs on him while he played overseas. Weltman said that many NBA teams were eyeing him, and that the addition was like adding a first round draft pick.

Once notified that he made the team, Birch was teary-eyed. Since then, Birch has established himself as a solid backup center for Orlando. Last season, the 26-year old averaged about five points and four rebounds per game. He connected on 60 percent of his field goals and 70 percent of his free throws. He raised his play in the playoffs, averaging five points, six rebounds and one block per game.

Orlando has until the end of the month to extend Birch a qualifying offer. If they do, he’ll become a restricted free agent, meaning the Magic can match any offer. If they don’t, Birch will have free liberty about where he wants to play. As I said previously, Orlando is likely to extend him the qualifying offer.

In a recent article from Shams Charania of The Athletic (subscription required), he stated that the Magic will try to re-sign Birch, but will face competition from other teams. He only listed one specific team that could be in pursuit of Birch: the Philadelphia 76ers. However, I think the Jazz should also target Birch, as he’d be a perfect backup to Rudy Gobert.

Shot-blocking is the biggest strength of Birch’s game. If you sign Birch, and play him behind Gobert, you’ll have elite shot-blocking for all 48 minutes of a game. Birch has also etched himself into the hearts of Magic fans for his willingness to play hard. You can’t ask for much more from your backup five.

I think Birch would be a huge addition to the Jazz, who are looking to be the team to come out of the West. Financially, it could get tricky, though. It’s unclear how much money Birch will be looking at, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he gets upwards of $5 million annually. That would be just over Utah’s remaining Room exception of $4.8 million, which could make things challenging depending on what other offers Birch receives. Utah is going to need to fill out their bench smartly, so they’ll have to be very tactful about who they spend their money on.

If you can get him at the right price, Dennis Lindsey should be all over Khem Birch. He’d be an upgrade over Ekpe Udoh and would let the inexperienced Tony Bradley develop as a third string player.

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