Raptors worked out underrated big man in Marcus Bingham Jr.

The Toronto Raptors will likely use some of their offseason cap space and 2022 NBA Draft capital to address the lack of height and rim protection on their roster. While he doesn’t have a ton of hype as a prospect as of right now, Michigan State big man Marcus Bingham Jr. could rise up draft boards in the next few weeks.

Bingham was overshadowed by names like Max Christie during his first season of extending playing time with the Spartans, but he has shown he can be a quality professional prospect. The Raptors have likely taken notice of his exploits, given their struggles in this area.

Toronto leaned on Khem Birch and impending free agency Chris Boucher to beef up their frontcourt rotation, but those results were pretty disappointing. Bingham is a 7-0 big man with solid mobility, and those two facts should make him a very enticing prospect for Toronto to nab at No. 33 overall.

Bingham has reportedly worked out for the Raptors in the last few days. While he will not be the most dominant scorer right out of the gate, Toronto should still consider drafting him in the second round if they are confident in his ability to make a name for himself on the defensive end.

Marcus Bingham has skills the Toronto Raptors could use.

Bingham averaged 9.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game. Per 36 minutes, Bingham was averaging greater than 18 points, 12 rebounds, and four blocks per game. That’s jaw-dropping production in the Big Ten. Bingham is a solid shooter, making 41% of his attempts on more than one attempt per game.

Bingham’s production is reminiscent of former Kentucky star Isaiah Jackson, who was a first-round pick of the Pacers last year. A tremendous leaper and shot-blocker who should be an immediate defensive presence, Bingham could easily push Birch out of the rotation if he works on his rough edges.

Bingham only had one year out of four in which he was a regular rotation presence. Even though he started getting better as a 3-point shooter, he likely will be a limited offensive player when he comes into the NBA. For someone who is already an older prospect, that could concern Toronto.

Bingham might need to start at Raptors 905 in order to become a better face-up scorer. At the very least, Bingham should be an impactful defensive player that helps Toronto get just a little bit stronger in the paint. Overall, that’s not a bad idea at No. 33.