By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Fenerbahce Beko is ready for a roster move concerning the frontline at the disposal of head coach Sarunas Jasikevicius.
In the market to replace Luka Samanic, the team based in Istanbul is nearing a deal with Khem Birch, per Eurohoops sources. Barring a setback, the Canadian center will land in Turkiye for his new team on Wednesday.
The contract will also include an in-season exit clause.
🏀 #Fenerbahçe has reached the final stage of negotiations with 𝗞𝗵𝗲𝗺 𝗕𝗶𝗿𝗰𝗵!
If the transfer is completed, the player is expected to be in Turkey on Wednesday
Khem Birch’s contract will also include an in-season exit clause
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Birch, 31, is a veteran of 37 appearances in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague, all with Olympiacos during the 2016-17 season. He spent the next six years in the NBA, logging 298 games played between the Toronto Raptors and Orlando Magic, Last season, he played in Spain’s Liga Endesa with Girona, averaging 8.8 points and 5.7 rebounds per contest over 12 appearances.
Samanic, 24, signed with Fener in early August, following 86 NBA games as a member of the Utah Jazz and San Antonio Spurs over the last four years. Between the spells in Utah and San Antonio, he inked a two-way contract with the New York Knicks before the 2021-22 season but did not see action. Selected with the 19th overall pick of the 2019 draft by the Spurs, he struggled to meet expectations in the league based in North America.
Fenerbahce deciding to replace Samanic with Birch was first reported by reported by Yagiz Sabuncuoglu of Sports Digitale.
Preparing for the 2024-25 installment of the EuroLeague and domestic competitions in Turkiye, the team coached by Jasikevicius additionally consists of Wade Baldwin IV, Tarik Biberovic, Metecan Birsen, Bonzie Colson, Erten Gazi, Marko Guduric, Devon Hall, Nigel Hayes-Davis, Melih Mahmutoglu, Nicolo Melli, Yigit Hamza Mestoglu, Dyshawn Pierre, Sertac Sanli, Scottie Wilbekin, and Arturs Zagars.