Chicago Bulls select Noa Essengue - #12 overall

[NecessaryEvil]

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[Ben Wilson25]

We’ll be a little more than 25 games into next season before he turns 19.

[GoBlue72391]

Drafting a major project to one of the worst player development franchises in the league is little more than a hope and a prayer.

They were drafting 12th. You dont get high ceiling, low floor players at that point in the draft.

You either draft a guy you're hoping can be a rotational player or you take a swing at development.

But you absolutely dont go into the draft thinking we can't draft a guy that needs to develop be cause we can't do that.

I'm not advocating to draft some 24-year old 5th year senior. Matas was raw but he wasn't this raw. He had skills from day one, to go along with his height, length, athleticism, and fire.

Essengue is so raw he makes Matas look like a finished project.

I'm fine with going for the upside pick, I just question if we're the franchise to get the most out of this kid.

Our track record of developing young projects is terrible.

[ThisGuyFawkes]

6’10” barefoot, 7’1” wingspan, 9’2” standing reach

Thing is, he just turned 18. 2nd youngest guy in the draft. What if he keeps growing?? Entirely possible. Freak-ish, Giannis type stuff.

But what if he doesn't?

Then he's still very long and athletic?

[ThisGuyFawkes]

Drafting a major project to one of the worst player development franchises in the league is little more than a hope and a prayer.

They were drafting 12th. You dont get high ceiling, low floor players at that point in the draft.

You either draft a guy you're hoping can be a rotational player or you take a swing at development.

But you absolutely dont go into the draft thinking we can't draft a guy that needs to develop be cause we can't do that.

I'm not advocating to draft some 24-year old 5th year senior. Matas was raw but he wasn't this raw. He had skills from day one, to go along with his height, length, athleticism, and fire.

Essengue is so raw he makes Matas look like a finished project.

I'm fine with going for the upside pick, I just question if we're the franchise to get the most out of this kid.

Our track record of developing young projects is terrible.

So we just call it quits and don't take any upside swings?

[NecessaryEvil]

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5 yrs from now, top 3 player from the 2025 draft

[Dez]

At least this should mean no Kuminga, though validates AKMEs interest in Kuminga.

Why would drafting Essengue stop them from going after Kuminga?

Where would Kuminga have minutes if Matas and Essengue (and Giddey at the 3) are getting minutes?

I don't want Kuminga but Essengue isn't going to play heavy minutes, they'll do what the do with Buzelis and bring him along slowly.

[GoBlue72391]

Drafting a major project to one of the worst player development franchises in the league is little more than a hope and a prayer.

They might hit. Looks like they hit with Buz. So much is on the player themselves. But he is not a Risacher level prospect,and the risk is huge, with multiple red flags. Still, I can’t say it was some huge reach or that there isn’t talent or achievable upside - just huge variance that I would have rather avoided.

It definitely wasn't a reach, I just don't have faith that we're gonna be successful in basically teaching this kid how to play basketball.

He's an athlete right now, but not a basketball player yet.

That's a tall task for a team with a string of busts and failed development and a recently fired development guy in Patton.

[kodo]

Really impressive speed & agility for a guy who'll be listed at 6' 11"+. People throw out "multi positional defender" way too often, Noa looks like he'll actually be able to do it.

Sprint time:
Fears: 3.05
Bryant: 3.07
Noa: 3.10
Bailey: 3.12
VJ Edgecombe: 3.20
KJ: 3.22
Newell: 3.26
Flagg: 3.30
Maluach: 3.50

Agility Test:
Flagg: 10.64
Noa: 10.70
Fears: 10.95
Newell: 10.95
Bailey: 10.97
KJ: 10.99
CMB: 11.21
Bryant: 11.25
VJ: 11.27
Maluach: 12.05
Queen: 12.45

[ChiTownHero1992]

My take a very 2003-2004 Chicago Cubs pick - meaning it will either be a Home Run or a Strike Out and nothing in between. Looks like he has all the tools and potential to be dynamic, but was drafted to an organization that is TERRIBLE at developing project players. I'll be happy if he pans out, but i wont be surprised if he doesn't either.

[MrSparkle]

If Matas was a 5-month project, I think Noa will be a 16-month project. I hope not. I get nervous when rookies can't buy a minute - that's usually a bad sign (with the exception of the bizarre 48-min Deng/Jimmy/Thibs triangle). So hopefully this guy can hustle and take advantage of his length to earn a consistent role in his rookie season. Concerned about his low minutes in the weak German league, however, being iced on a finals team means there were vets who were probably way more experienced (I dunno - speculating).

I feel this is more a pseudo DJJ (Billy's pf/c) pick than a wing pick, so shooting and handles can be tempered. Weight at C is obviously not so important anymore, although he will need to build lower body strength.

I see us keeping PWilly in the meantime. I don't see a trade for him anywhere, anyway. (Besides my PHX/Beal idea, which Beal would have to agree to).

I'm excited for the pick. Giddey/Matas/Noa have an interesting ceiling.

[NecessaryEvil]

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And he has a legendary mentor. Play hard and with pride and the city will love him.

[Red Larrivee]

Man this guy could be anything

That's how I feel. I have no issues with them going for upside here. He's a ball of clay and extremely young. The outcomes for him are all over the place. He has some really exciting stuff. It's going to take a minute though.

That said, there are easy-to-imagine scenarios where this pick ages poorly. Under AK, the Bulls haven't really done well with developing projects. So, hopefully they have a better plan in place than they've had with recent players.

[GoBlue72391]

6’10” barefoot, 7’1” wingspan, 9’2” standing reach

Thing is, he just turned 18. 2nd youngest guy in the draft. What if he keeps growing?? Entirely possible. Freak-ish, Giannis type stuff.

But what if he doesn't?

Then he's still very long and athletic?

6'11" with 7'0" wingspan is closer to average than anything else and his 35.5 max vert is good but not special.

[Brothaman33]

Not a fan... yea, I guess upside but even from taking a quick watch, there is nothing that stands out from and athletic or skill stand point. He catches lobs and dunks...fine.

6'10 barefoot with 7'1 wingspan is fine. It's not freakish.

He weighs 204 lbs. Fine.

I think its best to completely forget about him. Vuc, Smith, Collins, Matas and even f*cking Pat should all play before him. He's a classic 2 years away from being 2 years away.

We'll see him in the G league in QUICK fasion IMO.

[GoBlue72391]

They were drafting 12th. You dont get high ceiling, low floor players at that point in the draft.

You either draft a guy you're hoping can be a rotational player or you take a swing at development.

But you absolutely dont go into the draft thinking we can't draft a guy that needs to develop be cause we can't do that.

I'm not advocating to draft some 24-year old 5th year senior. Matas was raw but he wasn't this raw. He had skills from day one, to go along with his height, length, athleticism, and fire.

Essengue is so raw he makes Matas look like a finished project.

I'm fine with going for the upside pick, I just question if we're the franchise to get the most out of this kid.

Our track record of developing young projects is terrible.

So we just call it quits and don't take any upside swings?

I loved the Matas pick. He was a raw development project, but not to this extent.

Essengue wasn't the only upside pick.

[Ballerkingn23]

I called it a few days ago he was going to be our pick. And im ok with this pick. And the kid is like 6’11 in shoes and can still be growing. Maybe ends up being a pure 7 footer when its al said and done.

He just has to hit that gym hard and keep developing we’ll be good.

Great pick. Thanks ak for finally listening to me.

[Truebiscuit]

Enjoy!

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[WindyCityBorn]

Really impressive speed & agility for a guy who'll be listed at 6' 11"+. People throw out "multi positional defender" way too often, Noa looks like he'll actually be able to do it.

Sprint time:
Fears: 3.05
Bryant: 3.07
Noa: 3.10
Bailey: 3.12
VJ Edgecombe: 3.20
KJ: 3.22
Newell: 3.26
Flagg: 3.30
Maluach: 3.50

Agility Test:
Flagg: 10.64
Noa: 10.70
Fears: 10.95
Newell: 10.95
Bailey: 10.97
KJ: 10.99
CMB: 11.21
Bryant: 11.25
VJ: 11.27
Maluach: 12.05
Queen: 12.45

People are calling him a stiff, average athlete or uncoordinated. Facts don’t matter I guess.

[BigUps]

Don’t hate it. We swung for the fences with this pick. He kind of reminds me a tad bit of the other Noah we drafted. Skinny, high energy, defensive minded, French heritage and coached by a guy named Billy.

That Noah turned out fine and this Noa has better offensive skills and a shot without tornado spin.

I like it. We don’t really take these high ceiling, low floor guys. Feels odd, in a good way.

Let’s do this.