Celtics select University of Houston’s Chris Cenac Jr. No. 27 overall in NBA Draft
The Celtics on Tuesday night selected Houston big man Chris Cenac Jr. with the 27th overall pick of the NBA Draft. But when president of basketball operations Brad Stevens left his team’s war room close to midnight and walked down to a press conference on the Auerbach Center practice court, the focus shifted to a transaction that was not completed.
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On Monday night, the Celtics fell short in their pursuit of Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo after offering a trade package that included star forward Jaylen Brown and two first-round draft picks.
The Bucks ultimately accepted the Heat’s offer that included Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kasparas Jakucionis, three first-round picks, one first-round pick swap and one second-round pick. The Celtics not only failed to acquire Antetokounmpo but also faced potentially uncomfortable conversations with Brown, the 2024 Finals MVP.
Stevens said he has tried to be as transparent as possible with Brown throughout the offseason. He said the two met in May, and then again about two weeks ago, before Brown departed for a trip overseas. Stevens said he has also spoken to Brown’s agent, Jason Glushon, frequently over the past week.
He declined to go into detail about his discussions with Brown, saying simply that they were “good” and “candid,” but he stressed that maintaining comfortable lines of communication was important.
“It’s not easy to be in the national rumor mill,” Stevens said. “I’m extremely understanding of that. So, yeah, there always has to be discussions. I just keep going back to this. That’s why I just try to be as up front as possible and as candid as possible at the beginning, long before any talks begin.
“Our guys understand that being here and being in the limelight, they’re going to have a lot of attention on them regardless, and then they also understand that there are things that are exaggerated at this time of the year and there are things that are real, so they’ve been through all that stuff and felt all that stuff. But it doesn’t mean it’s easy.”
Even after the failed attempt to acquire Antetokounmpo, multiple reports surfaced that the Celtics were fielding calls from other teams interested in trading for Brown. The first round of the draft—an important period for trades likely to involve draft capital—came and went without any signs of momentum toward a deal, however.
Stevens was asked late Tuesday if he believed Brown would be a Celtic at the start of next season.
“Jaylen Brown is a big part of us,” he said. “I’m never going to predict the future. Every indication, everything that I think about over the past few years has been building around those guys, right? Obviously, you never know. But at the same time, I think the one thing that I want to make very clear is how valued he’s always been. He’s been amazing. He’s been an amazing teammate. Great person to be around. Whether that run ends 10 years from now when he retires or before, there’s a lot to celebrate. We have a great relationship and an open relationship where we talk about everything. But I don’t want to predict the future. I look at it as, this is our team.”
And Cenac is now the latest addition. The forward was one of the last players remaining at the Barclays Center for Tuesday night’s draft. But the Celtics ensured that it would be worth the wait when they selected him 27th overall.
Cenac averaged 9.5 points and 7.9 rebounds per game for the Cougars this past season. He is viewed as a mobile, athletic big man with good defensive instincts and versatility. His offensive game remains raw, but he has shown some potential as a shooter and is still just 19 years old. Cenac shot 48.5 percent from the field, 33.3 percent from the 3-point line and 62.1 percent from the foul line.
“He’s just a good young player.” Stevens said. “Energetic, plays hard, excellent athlete, long. Fits a position of need, some things that we were a little short on this year from an athletic perspective, I think with his size and his length. And when you play in the program he’s played for, he’s been taught well and been held to a high standard. I like that, and he will undoubtedly come here and be eager to jump into it. He’s a good worker, he’s a good person, and he’s got a lot to learn, but we’re excited about starting that process with.”
Speaking in New York, Cenac echoed that sentiment.
“I feel like I can definitely be a piece that helps the team a lot,” he said. “I’m the type of guy that’s willing to do whatever it takes to help the team win. I’m going to come in and play hard, defend, rebound, space the floor, make shots. I’m ready to get to Boston. I’m ready to get to work.”
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