Nuggets Should Snag This Young, Robust Houston Star

The Denver Nuggets have been in the offseason since falling in Game 6 of the Western Conference First Round of the NBA playoffs to the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Timberwolves won the series 4-2, but there’s no shame in going out in a Game 6.

Now, it’s time for the Nuggets to get serious about their future, and that includes their 2026 NBA draft selections.

On Wednesday, May 20, Isaac Trotter of CBS Sports released a mock, naming his picks after the Combine. “Beyond the measurements and testing, the conversations behind the scenes provide an illuminating look at where some of the top NBA Draft prospects are trending,” he states in the piece.

For the Nuggets, he links them to power forward Chris Cenac Jr. of Houston.

More sports news: What Do the Pistons Need to Do to Get to the Next Level?

“The Nuggets need to add some young bouncy legs to this frontcourt formula,” he says. “Cenac is raw but toolsy. The Houston big man has a 7-foot-5 wingspan and was one of the best per-minute rebounders in the country.”

He adds of Cenac: “He gobbles up boards outside of his zip code time and time again. Cenac’s decision-making is still a major work in progress and the speed of the college game seemed too much for him on some nights, but the former five-star recruit projects to be a long-term piece with the rebounding and shooting potential at the forefront of the evaluation.”

My Analysis: Chris Cenac Jr. of Houston to the Nuggets

More sports news: Raptors Finally Have an Answer to Their 3-Point Woes

What I like about Cenac for Denver is that he grabs rebounds well outside his area over and over again. That’s huge for the NBA. Cenac’s decision-making still needs work, and there were nights when the speed of the college game clearly overwhelmed him a bit. Still, the former five-star recruit looks like a strong long-term prospect, especially because of his rebounding instincts and shooting expertise.

2026 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.

This story was originally published May 23, 2026 at 12:10 PM.