Recently-waived center a glove fit to fill critical Boston Celtics bench need

It was reported earlier today via X/Twitter by NBA Insider Shams Charania that Khem Birch had hit the free agent market — and now that the serviceable NBA vet has been made available, the Boston Celtics scoop him up for cheap; filling their critical bench need in the frontcourt after losing Robert Willams III in the Jrue Holiday trade.

Birch, who played his High School ball in Massachusetts, can come back to the state where he had great success out of the gate in his playing career. Thus far, there hasn’t been a slam-dunk answer for the Cs at the pivot position all preseason.

With the Eastern Conference looking like a two-team race at this moment, the Boston Celtics must shore up their size problem.

3 cheap free agents who would shore up the Boston Celtics frontcourt

Hardwood Houdini reels off three likely cheap free agents who would shore up the Boston Celtics frontcourt ahead of a title push.

By bringing in Birch, the Cs would have an NBA veteran who can come in and wear down Giannis while he looks to attack the basket. Birch can be a big part of building the wall to stop the Greek Freak from taking over ball games when the two teams match up; while also being of great value by giving both Kristaps Porzingis and Al Hortford time to catch a breather.

The Boston Celtics finding value in Khem Birch would be cherry on top of offseason

Filling up a hole on the roster at a bargain rate this late in the preseason would be a minor miracle for the Boston Celtics, but those kinds of minor miracles are often necessary on the road to an NBA Championship. Many legacies have been defined by a fortunate road through the postseason in which opposing teams suffered injuries en masse.

Birch may not seem like a big signing in most people’s eyes but with the margins for a title razor-thin, even the fringe transactions can prove to be game-changing.