The 2026 NBA Draft is just a few hours away, which means that it will only be a short while until the Philadelphia 76ers officially kickstart the offseason. This year's draft class is widely reckoned to be an especially deep and talented one, so even with the 22nd overall pick which is outside the lottery, the team should have very little issues getting their hands on a young difference-maker.
Philly has some very specific needs that they have to zoom in on as they approach the draft. Drafting a young big man who can play next to and behind Joel Embiid will be critical, and to that effect, one prospect whom they should have high on their draft board is Houston's Chris Cenac, who has been getting rave reviews from fans and pundits alike about his potential fit with the 76ers.
Cenac, who stands at 6'11" and weights 230 pounds, enters the draft as one of the more physically intriguing and gifted prospects this year. Be that as it may, the former Cougar also has an enticing skill set which should prove to be tempting for a team like the 76ers which badly needs a more dynamic big man on the roster.
The 76ers should draft Chris Cenac as long as he is still available
The most eye-popping thing about Cenac is the fact that his upside is so high. He has a unique blend of athleticism and fluidity for someone of his stature. He has the tools to be able to play in different styles. He can play fast as a rim-runner and also in the halfcourt with his vertical spacing.
Even better, he might just be the stretch big man the 76ers have long wanted. His three-point stroke is rapidly developing, and his form is definitely buildable. That would allow him to play next to Embiid in certain situations, arming the team with much more size in the frontcourt to mitigate their rebounding woes.
It is no secret that the 76ers have way too many one-dimensional players on the roster, especially when it comes to their squadron of big men. Cenac might still be raw, but he has all the makings to be successful in the league right from the get-go with not as much acclimation needed.
As long as Cenac is still available when the 76ers make their selection at No. 22 (without prejudice to a trade to move up in the draft), the front office should choose him. He fits way too perfectly into what the team currently needs, and his ceiling is lofty enough that it would be a disservice to pass up on him.
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