The Cleveland Cavaliers are embracing a modern twist on the classic Twin Towers approach in their frontcourt, with Evan Mobley stretching his game to the perimeter and Jarrett Allen holding down the paint. While this duo has shown promise, the Cavs are missing some depth behind them. Thomas Bryant sees limited action, Nae'Qwan Tomlin is a bit undersized, and Larry Nance Jr. isn't a regular in the rotation.
Recognizing this gap, there's buzz around the Cavaliers potentially addressing their frontcourt needs in the upcoming NBA Draft. The chatter, fueled by FanSided's Christopher Kline, suggests that Koby Altman might make a move for Houston's Chris Cenac Jr. with the 28th overall pick.
Cenac Jr. could be the answer to the Cavaliers' depth issues. Standing nearly seven feet tall, he's an athletic big man who can shoot threes, drive the lane, and make defensive plays.
NBADraft.net even projects him as high as the 12th pick, so snagging him late in the first round would be a major win for Cleveland. With a gold medal from the U17 FIBA World Cup in 2024, Cenac has shown significant growth as a floor-spacing, mobile big man.
Though he attempts just 2.5 three-pointers per game, Cenac's 32.1 percent success rate from beyond the arc shows promise. His free-throw shooting at 59 percent raises some concerns about consistency, but his shooting mechanics are encouraging.
He's not quite a seven-footer but boasts a 7-foot-4 wingspan, allowing him to defend both on the perimeter and at the rim. Cenac's versatility shines as he can slash from the perimeter and attack defenses in various ways.
However, he does have areas to improve. At 233 pounds, he needs to bulk up and refine his skills as a screen-setter and play-finisher. Kline notes that developing these fundamentals will be key to his success.
The Cavaliers can afford to take a chance on Cenac, giving him time to develop behind Allen and Mobley. With Coach Kenny Atkinson's tendency to ease rookies into action, Cenac will have the opportunity to build muscle and hone his skills.
For too long, the Cavs' big men have been critiqued for being outworked. Cenac's high energy and potential could change that narrative, bringing a fresh dynamic to Cleveland's frontcourt.