Noa Essengue, the Chicago Bulls’ first-round selection in the 2025 NBA Draft, is shaping up to be a vital part of the team’s long-term plans despite a challenging start. The 19-year-old forward appeared in only two games during his rookie season before undergoing surgery to address a persistent shoulder injury, a situation that the Bulls viewed as an opportunity to focus on his recovery and development.
Promising physical tools despite a slow start
Essengue’s early performances did not immediately draw widespread attention. In the NBA Summer League, he averaged 12.7 points on 41.9 percent shooting, but his preseason numbers dipped to 3.8 points on 33.3 percent. This came with the understanding that Essengue was very young—only 18 at the time—and had just one professional season overseas in Germany’s Basketball Bundesliga, a league considered comparable to top NCAA conferences such as the Big 12 or SEC.
Evaluators have remained optimistic about Essengue’s potential because of his rare physical attributes. Standing 6-foot-10 with a 7-foot-1 wingspan, he moves fluidly on the court and has shown signs of a developing three-point shot. While his ball-handling and physical strength are still works in progress, the Bulls appear patient with his growth given his age and experience. For context, Essengue will still be 19 during the first couple months of the 2026-27 NBA season.
The Bulls demonstrated strong belief in his upside when they selected him 12th overall, and that confidence remains intact despite much of the 2025 rookie class already surpassing expectations. Joel Lorenzi of The Athletic highlights that the Bulls continue to see Essengue as a foundational player even as the trade deadline nears. Lorenzi notes,
“…Bulls seem focused on operating around a youthful framework centered on three core players in Josh Giddey, Matas Buzelis and Noa Essengue.”
He further adds,
“The Bulls have consistently expressed confidence in Essengue.”
Developing a versatile and youthful frontcourt
The Bulls have a clear vision for Essengue’s role moving forward. They plan to develop him as their future power forward, while shifting Matas Buzelis to the small forward position. This strategy aims to build a more sizable and adaptable frontcourt, emphasizing versatility and length.
Chicago’s commitment to youth marks a noticeable shift for a franchise that has historically been hesitant to fully embrace rebuilding around young talent. Even though Essengue’s limited action has not yet revealed star-level impact, his physical tools and developmental trajectory position him as a player
“two years away from being two years away,”
suggesting a high ceiling in the longer term.
Despite his injury-shortened rookie season, Essengue now appears central to Chicago’s rebuilding efforts. His projected pairing with Buzelis in the frontcourt underlines the franchise’s intention to rely on a youthful core that could shape the Bulls’ identity for years to come. This youthful nucleus, combined with standout young guard Josh Giddey, provides the Bulls’ front office with flexibility at the approaching February 5 trade deadline. They can either maintain the group to nurture internal growth or explore trades to supplement the roster with complementary talent.
Billy Donovan, the Bulls’ head coach, addressed Essengue’s surgery and injury management by stating,
“I think the recommendation was to get it fixed now instead of waiting, because it’s something that could continue to be a problem for him.”
Ultimately, the franchise’s patient approach to Essengue’s long-term development signals a transition toward building through youth and versatility. This method could define the Bulls’ competitive window moving forward, making Essengue a key figure in Chicago’s future plans.
