The Chicago Bulls had high hopes and plenty of patience when they took Noa Essengue with the No. 12 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. They knew he was raw and needed time to develop, but his upside as a two-way star was too evident to ignore.
Essengue was never expected to contribute much out of the gate, but no one thought his rookie season would be over after just two appearances and a grand total of six minutes. A shoulder injury ruled him out for the campaign, and he failed to score a single point or record a stat, missing all of his 3 shots.
That's why, now that he's worked his way back to full strength and has had a full year to get a hold of the NBA lifestyle, perks, demands, and development programs -- even while injured -- he might be this team's primary reinforcement for the 2026-27 season.
The Bulls need to give Noa Essengue a long leash
While Essengue didn't get to showcase his skills in the NBA, he turned plenty of heads in four appearances in the G-League. He averaged 23.0 points, 6.3 rebounds (including 1.5 offensive boards), 2.8 assists, 1.3 steals, 1.0 blocks, and 1.3 three-pointers per game on 50.8 percent from the floor.
His three-point shot is a work in progress -- he shot 23.8 percent from beyond the arc on 5.3 attempts per game -- but the fact that he knocked down 48.2 percent of his free throws is encouraging as he looks to develop a consistent jump shot.
Essengue is still growing and might be closer to 7 feet in his rookie season after entering the league as a 6-foot-9 forward. His lanky frame might be a concern if he plays in the paint, but he can still grow into it and bulk up from his reported 200 pounds.
He has the potential to be an All-Defensive guy with the ability to guard one through five, and he should be the team's best rebounder and rim protector right out of the jump. His rookie season was essentially a redshirt, so the Bulls must be patient with him and give him a long leash.
Granted, the team also needs to figure out his fit next to whoever they take with the No. 4 pick. Matas Buzelis is untouchable, and with Cameron Boozer and Caleb Wilson as the most likely selections, Essengue might be the odd man out.
That said, the Bulls used a very valuable pick to get him, and even though there's a new regime in place, he should fit Bryson Graham's SLAP philosophy. Essentially, the Bulls will have three first-round picks this offseason.
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