1:15pm: Birch has officially been waived, the Spurs announced in a press release.
10:09am: Center Khem Birch will be waived by the Spurs, sources tell Shams Charania of The Athletic (Twitter link).
Birch was part of the return San Antonio received when it traded Jakob Poeltl to Toronto in February. He never appeared in a game for the Spurs, as a right knee issue sidelined him for the rest of the season.
With 16 fully guaranteed contracts, San Antonio had to get rid of at least one of them before Monday’s league-wide cutdown date. Unless Birch gets claimed on waivers, the team will be on the hook for all of his $6,985,000 expiring deal.
The 31-year-old big man appeared in 20 games for Toronto last season, averaging 2.2 points and 1.3 rebounds in 8.1 minutes per night. He went undrafted out of UNLV in 2014 and played six NBA seasons with the Magic and Raptors.
Once the move is finalized, the Spurs will have 18 players on their preseason roster with one two-way spot open.
I would keep trading if I was the Spurs. They need more young talent. I know people don’t like this one but Keldon Johnson, Osman, Branham, Bassey and Graham to Washington for Shamet, D wright, Danilo, Mike Muscala, Ryan Rollins, Johny Davis and Baldwin with a pick. Waive D wright and Danilo. Great for both teams then Sign Ish Smith
That’s terrible for San Antonio.
Add Bibal*
Or throw in Bibal and get rid of the pick and Baldwin
Celtics?? Golden State??
The NBL
“The NBL”
Super informed comment.