A new NBA mock draft from ESPN shows the New York Knicks will use their first-round selection in June on a player who is unlikely to make much of an impact next season.
There is a lot of hope and excitement about the Knicks right now. On Tuesday night, they begin their Eastern Conference Finals series against the Cleveland Cavaliers at home and as favorites. Due to their excellent play over the past few weeks, this could be the franchise's best chance to win an NBA title in decades.
Still, while the organization is hyper-focused on the East Finals, they should also keep some attention on what's coming next, and that's the NBA Draft next month. And when it comes to their choice at No. 24 at the June event, ESPN's Jeremy Wu believes the team will take Houston big man Chris Cenac Jr.
On paper, getting an impact player from an elite team in 2025-26 sounds like a great accomplishment. But according to the draft expert, don't expect Cenac Jr. to be more than a role player next season.
Will Chris Senac Jr. be Mitchell Robinson's replacement for the NY Knicks?
Wu wrote, "Cenac measured well at the combine and excelled physically in on-court drills, with good amplitude and mobility for a center that makes him a worthwhile developmental bet." “He made progress with his tenacity and rebounding in Houston, but is still a ways away from contributing to a winning NBA team.
"Still, his immense size and fluid movement skills give him a chance to carve out an eventual role in the NBA if he can find more offensive identity. There's probably more rim-protection upside than his worrisome lack of blocks, as he was asked to play conservatively and focus on rebounding as part of Houston's approach.
For a team that is hoping to win a championship this spring, and compete for more over the next few seasons, using a first-rounder on the prospect who will be the best role player next season is disappointing. However, Wu noted that with backup center Mitchell Robinson leaving in free agency this summer, the Knicks will have to look for a potential replacement.
Robinson is also basically a role player, but a very good player who specialized in certain skills. If Cenac Jr. can be just as meaningful or more in a few years, Knicks fans will be happy with this selection.
