Daryl Morey may no longer be part of the Philadelphia 76ers organisation, but the work behind the scenes continues. As Bob Myers searches for the franchise’s next general manager, he must also keep a close eye on the upcoming NBA draft and the prospects who could help usher in a new era of Sixers basketball. Philadelphia’s roster requires a versatile frontcourt presence capable of strengthening its depth and long-term outlook -- and Chris Cenac Jr. fits that profile perfectly.
76ers must prioritise versatility in the 2026 NBA draft
Philadelphia's biggest weakness is a lack of roster depth. For far too long under Daryl Morey’s guidance, the franchise has focused on chasing superstars rather than adding versatile players who can make a positive impact when called upon. With the 22nd overall pick in the 2026 draft, the 76ers cannot afford to waste it on a player who has the greatest attributes; this player has to make sense alongside the roster they have already assembled.
Two key areas the Sixers’ next general manager must address are finding a reliable backup for Joel Embiid and adding a power forward who can make an impact on both ends of the floor. This draft class has multiple talented options in the center position, most notably Michigan's Adey Mara. However, Mara is a player who will undoubtedly be snapped up by a team selecting earlier in the process.
The 76ers' best shot would be to pick a player who can cover both forward and center positions effectively. Look no further than the Houston Cougars' Chris Cenac Jr.
Chris Cenac Jr. has everything that the 76ers are looking for
Standing at 6-foot-11 with a 7-foot-5 wingspan, Chris Cenac Jr. possesses the kind of physical tools NBA teams covet. After just one season at Houston, he decided to declare for the draft. While he is still a raw prospect, the potential he offers on both ends of the floor is exactly the type of talent Philadelphia should be targeting.
Cenac Jr. boasts several attributes the 76ers are desperate to find, one of which is his dominant rebounding. Throughout his freshman year, the 19-year-old averaged 7.9 rebounds per game, with a career-high 18 rebounds coming in the Cougars' 78-47 blowout victory over Idaho during the First Round of the NCAA Tournament.
Additionally, the adaptable frontcourt option is not adverse to stretching the floor and attempting a shot from deep, making him a prime candidate to partner with Joel Embiid if required. Cenac Jr. recorded 2.4 three-point attempts per game -- although only 33.3% of these shots were successful.
There is, however, a clear need for improvement in Chris Cenac Jr.’s offensive production and efficiency. If he is expected to develop into a reliable understudy to Philadelphia’s offensive talisman, or contribute consistently from the power forward position, averaging 9.5 points per game -- as he did for Houston -- will not be enough for the Philadelphia 76ers to remain competitive.
Selecting 22nd overall in the draft is always a difficult task. Nevertheless, the Philadelphia 76ers must begin their new era with a different attitude than before, and that is to prioritise fit over ability. Chris Cenac Jr's versatility and paint presence should cement him at the forefront of their thinking, even if he is not the complete package yet.
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