Chicago Bulls select Noa Essengue - #12 overall

[League Circles]

I imagine with how thin and young he is that he might add another inch or two in height and 20-40 lbs over the next 5 years.

[League Circles]

I really was always very high on him. He was the first guy that I saw among these prospects where I was immediately thinking "why isn't this guy projected to go top 10?"

But that was a while ago and I cooled a bit on him, but mostly due to questionable fit. Not terrible, mind you, but I don't think he'll be able to play the C spot for 5 years if ever, and I really see Giddey and Matas locked in there. I suppose with a defensive C tbd and Matas and Essengue at the forward spots, Giddey could maybe move to the defensive backcourt, but the pathway to a good roster fit isn't automatic IMO. I'd have preferred a few guys but very satisfied with Essengue. I'm nearly sure he'll be a good player eventually, just hoping that we can find a good way to leverage that.

[Chi town]

Noa knows Noah.

They’ve talked. I bet we see a lot more Joakim moving fwd.

[GuardianEnzo]

In the end he might grow into center role.. defense is already there, he isnt good 3pt shooter (yet at least) and he isnt even 19. So he could end up almost 7 foot kid and when he builds out his frame, he could be strong big PF or just Billy D center

I see his eventual role as a stretch 5. Once he fills out a little he should be very switchable on D, and having two bigs who are is a big advantage.

As for the shooting (which is obviously essential for the "stretch" part) His mechanics look decent and he shoots FTs very well for an 18 year-old big. I think he'll develop a workable 3-ball.

[erlim]

Noa knows Noah.

They’ve talked. I bet we see a lot more Joakim moving fwd.

I feel fortunate he is around the club as much as he is. Such a nice change on all the dynasty era stars bailing. I guess Kukoc is around sometimes.

[CROBulls]

I just don’t see it. Any reason to like this pick. On paper tools are there, but I don’t see basketball player in that body. This is not Matas situation. No skillset whatsoever to use those tools in possible upside. Because he looks like tall guy with size try playing basketball instead basketball player with tools and height.

Maybe I am wrong but it’s whatever pick. At #12 which is garbage position to pick you can only pick this and pray it works out

[erlim]

Read on Twitter

Everyone is comparing him to Pascal Siakam. To me, he looks like the successor of Scottie Pippen in Chicago.

We have people on here comparing his athletic profile to Lauri Markannen.

I love this boards wide variety of takes! Some think he can be the next Giannis, others think he's not even Tidjane Salaūn lol

The truth will probably settle somewhere in the middle

He looks like Pippen because he’s just dunking on people. No eurostepping, which is weird because he’s a Euro.

[RSP83]

Positives
-Moving without the ball
-runs the floor
-Length
-Defense, help and shot blocking
-arms are weirdly long
-length, motor, intelligence, movement
-He will fit Giddey very well
-Transition game is great

Negtives
-Athletic but clunky athleticism
-Non shooter
-Doesn't get own shot

Agree, not the most fluid athlete. I think he can be at least respectable shooter to the point where teams don't just leave him open. Yes I don't see him becoming a shot creator ever. But I think he can be an elite contributor/role player type.

[jordanwilliams6]

I’m certainly happy with this pick.

I’m curious to see what a 4/5 Buzelis/Noa pairing looks like in a couple of years when they both hit their maturity weight. Clearly they would have trouble with large C’s but the benefits overall of having two athletic switchable bigs might cause some serious headaches.

[HomoSapien]

Has it been mentioned that he has the highest free-throw rate in the draft? Obviously tough to know exactly how that’ll translate from an international league to the NBA, but there are signs that he knows how to draw fouls.

[WindyCityBorn]

In the end he might grow into center role.. defense is already there, he isnt good 3pt shooter (yet at least) and he isnt even 19. So he could end up almost 7 foot kid and when he builds out his frame, he could be strong big PF or just Billy D center

I see his eventual role as a stretch 5. Once he fills out a little he should be very switchable on D, and having two bigs who are is a big advantage.

As for the shooting (which is obviously essential for the "stretch" part) His mechanics look decent and he shoots FTs very well for an 18 year-old big. I think he'll develop a workable 3-ball.

I don’t think he has any future as a real center even if he grows to 7 feet. He’s a forward all the way. He might max out at 225 lbs and I’d be happy with that.

He wasn’t drafted to be our center of future. He was drafted to be an interchangeable beast of PF/SF to pair with Buzelis.

[HomoSapien]

C. Smith
PF. Buzelis
SF. Essengue
SG. White
PG. Giddey

That’s a (future?) starting five consisting of some recent high lottery picks. I actually think all of those guys have some intriguing talent and some development left. I especially wish we gave Smith more opportunities last season. I would have loved to see what he could have done with uninterrupted starter minutes when Vuc was out.

[GoBlue72391]

Any time your wingspan is only 1 inch more than your height, it's not great.

it's great when you are already very tall for your position

also his wingspan is 3" longer than his height...

My bad I thought his wingspan was 7'0" but it's 7'1"

Is 6'11" considered very tall for a PF?

[GoBlue72391]

C. Smith
PF. Buzelis
SF. Essengue
SG. White
PG. Giddey

That’s a (future?) starting five consisting of some recent high lottery picks. I actually think all of those guys have some intriguing talent and some development left. I especially wish we gave Smith more opportunities last season. I would have loved to see what he could have done with uninterrupted starter minutes when Vuc was out.

I think Matas and Essengue would be flipped. Buz can dribble and shoot. But ehh, it's really splitting hairs.

[Hangtime84]

Very happy with the pick. Matas will be groomed to a future 3 while Noa can play the 4. High motor player than has the length to push Matas in practice and vice versa.

Skinny AF but found ways to be a contributor against grown men. And just handed the keys to be a star like college guys. His translation to nba team should be consistent.

Really hope he improves his ball handling and shooting while here over the next two years.

[GuardianEnzo]

I think we're getting a little too hung up on what position these guys play. Positionless basketball is all the rage these days, and guys like Matas, Giddey, and Noa fit that template well. Personally I think the eventual roles will be Essengue in "tallest guy on the floor" and Matas "2nd-tallest guy on the floor".

[GoBlue72391]

It's interesting that we drafted a kid who needs to develop his shot so soon after firing our development guy Patton who was reportedly very good at improving player's shots. Do we know who we replaced him with?

I really don't get this. It's like giving a million dollar yacht to a NASCAR driver and expecting him to know what to do with it.

EDIT: I saw in another thread that Marc Eversley said they're leaning hard on internal development and a reporter asked him if they've replaced Patton yet with a new head of player development or any new development coaches and he said no.

In all honestly, we're probably the worst team Essengue could have landed with.

[coldfish]

I agree with GoBlue. Project pick on a team that does poorly with projects. Hopefully he breaks the trend.

Disagree about the comparison to Matas. Buz had no business being available where he was and was legit being considered as a top 4 pick. He was MUCH more skilled with the ball coming in. Outside of highlight videos, Noa is basically a hustle guy.

I don't have a problem with the pick because he may have the highest upside of anyone available at the spot but his floor is also really low.

[Dominator83]

Watch on YouTube

Oh man this team is stuck.

It really wasn't all that bad. The part where he said they don't wanna skip any steps, might be a subtle admission that he's learning from the past.

What is alarming though is that they have not replaced Patton. And this kid badly needs shot development. Don't know if that's AKME being lazy, or cheap ownership

[Michael Jackson]

Watch on YouTube

Oh man this team is stuck.

It really wasn't all that bad. The part where he said they don't wanna skip any steps, might be a subtle admission that he's learning from the past.

What is alarming though is that they have not replaced Patton. And this kid badly needs shot development. Don't know if that's AKME being lazy, or cheap ownership

This is where I call ownership cheap not the not paying the tax thing. The staff should be overspent on on as it doesn’t effect the cap. I am not sure this is ownership being cheap for sure but I am blaming them anyway because this has been where I see a huge impact on being tight with the wallet. Like I get not paying the tax and hamstringing your roster (ahem Phoenix).