Jason Burgos
A new NBA mock draft from ESPN suggests the New York Knicks will use their first-round pick in June on a player unlikely to make much of an impact next season.
There is a ton of hope and excitement surrounding the Knicks right now. On Tuesday night, they will begin their Eastern Conference Finals series against the Cleveland Cavaliers at home and as favorites. Due to their outstanding play over the last couple of weeks, this may be the franchise’s best chance at winning an NBA title in decades.
Yet, while the organization is hyper-focused on the East Finals, they must also keep some attention on what lies ahead, and that is the NBA Draft next month. And when it comes to their pick at No. 24 in June’s event, ESPN’s Jeremy Woo believes the team will take Houston big man Chris Cenac Jr.
On paper, getting an impact player from an elite team in 2025-26 seems like a great get. But according to the draft expert, don’t expect Cenac Jr. to be more than a role player next season.
Chris Cenac Jr. to be Mitchell Robinson’s NY Knicks replacement?
“Cenac measured well at the combine and stood out physically in on-court drills, with good dimensions and mobility for a center that make him a worthwhile developmental bet,” Woo wrote. “He made strides with his toughness and rebounding at Houston, but remains a ways from contributing to a winning NBA team.
“Still, his sheer size and fluid movement skills give him a chance to carve out an eventual NBA role if he can find more of an offensive identity. There’s probably more rim-protection upside than his alarming lack of blocks might suggest, as he was asked to play conservatively and focus on rebounding as part of Houston’s approach.”
For a team hoping to win a championship this spring, and hopefully contend for more in the next few seasons, using a first-rounder on a prospect who will be a role player at best next season is disappointing. However, Woo notes that with backup center Mitchell Robinson hitting free agency this summer, the Knicks must look for potential replacements.
Robinson is essentially a role player as well, but a very good one who is elite at a couple of skills. If Cenac Jr. can be just as meaningful or more in a couple of years, Knicks fans will be happy with the pick.
