Chicago Bulls select Noa Essengue - #12 overall

[MGB8]

What you would initially want or expect from him in the first year? Coby, Giddey, Matas, and if Collins or Vuc are here, those guys are taking a TON of shots. A ton of 3 pters, and Lonzo and Smith would add to that. What we didn't have is a rim runner until now. Matas could do it too, but haven't seen that a ton from him yet. I think if he plays solid defense and cuts and dunks, he'll put up good numbers and balance the offensive team. Even if he isn't a superstar by 19 or 20.

Assuming just that he stays high motor, what's the floor for a long, athletic active guy? What does bust look like, and how long do we give him? At least until he can drink, 21?

Since he isn’t top 10, I guess can live with him not getting 18 minutes or more per night this season (but needs a trend up). But if he isn’t getting that by next season (in its entirety) and starting at some point later Season 2 (or at least being the 3rd man getting near starter minutes) or at minimum season 3… I would consider that a bust for a lotto pick.

Giannis started 71 games in his 2nd season as another raw ultra upside pick. I’m not asking for that, but by the end of season 2, or at latest early Season 3, the trend should be starting or starter minutes.

[Chi town]

I thought I read his defense in the German league is currently pretty bad, but there's obviously a ton of projection if he bulks up and learns the NBA game.

I don't know if we can count on his defense being game ready on day one aside from some highlight reel blocks here and there, so while his ceiling is very high his floor seems to be pretty low.

Matas didn't even score 10 PPG as a rookie, so that seems unlikely but who knows.

Buz barely played until the trade. He played well once he got mins and I believe averages 13ppg as a starter.

Yeah, but he was a lot further along than Essengue in nearly every category.

Essengue isn't going to start or play big minutes, so how is he going to average double figures while being just a rim runner at the moment?

He’s not. I’m expecting same treatment as Buz and showing impact last 30 games. I think his D could play right away though and he’d probably have more impact that Pat solely due to motor.

My bet is Pat gets mins to up his value for a trade until the deadline. Then he only has 3 yrs left on his deal after the season and is more tradable.

[drosestruts]

The way people have no patience for guys like Coby (in the past), Williams, Terry, Phillips and others to develop has me not looking forward to the board turning on Essengue by year 2.

It's always - go for the upside this and you've got to take gambles that.

Then they become a player and, no patience.

[WesPeace]

I heard from Beringer's agent that Bulls were super high on him and if Noa was choosen before #12, Beringer would be our pick

[Infinity2152]

What you would initially want or expect from him in the first year? Coby, Giddey, Matas, and if Collins or Vuc are here, those guys are taking a TON of shots. A ton of 3 pters, and Lonzo and Smith would add to that. What we didn't have is a rim runner until now. Matas could do it too, but haven't seen that a ton from him yet. I think if he plays solid defense and cuts and dunks, he'll put up good numbers and balance the offensive team. Even if he isn't a superstar by 19 or 20.

Assuming just that he stays high motor, what's the floor for a long, athletic active guy? What does bust look like, and how long do we give him? At least until he can drink, 21?

Since he isn’t top 10, I guess can live with him not getting 18 minutes or more per night this season (but needs a trend up). But if he isn’t getting that by next season (in its entirety) and starting at some point later Season 2 (or at least being the 3rd man getting near starter minutes) or at minimum season 3… I would consider that a bust for a lotto pick.

Giannis started 71 games in his 2nd season as another raw ultra upside pick. I’m not asking for that, but by the end of season 2, or at latest early Season 3, the trend should be starting or starter minutes.

I can rock with that. I expect him to be much more capable by year 3. We draft these guys at the beginning of him building his full grown man body. By year 3, he'll have filled out a lot, had a good amount of experience, and added 2 years worth of skills. I think if he plays this year of college, he bulks up some, kills as a freshman and is a top 3 pick. I don't want people looking at him at 19 and 20 and saying, oh, he's only at 32% from 3 now. that would be huge progress, and promising.

Videos of Matas, he looks like he's filling out, he went to college this year, he might be a top 3 pick too, lol!

If Williams isn't traded, I fully expect him to get minutes in the first half over Noa. Right or wrong. Also think we may be adding another player who gets minutes, and whoever we trade Vucevic for could take minutes from Noa too, depending on position. Fully expect us to add a vet like Tre Jones or Paul Reed in FA. So I wouldn't base anything on his year 1 minutes. He'll have way less competition on the roster for minutes in 2026.

[Chi town]

I heard from Beringer's agent that Bulls were super high on him and if Noa was choosen before #12, Beringer would be our pick

I’d believe that.

KC was talking up Beringer a lot.

[waffle]

I think people are pleasantly surprised by the pick, not that many are predicting anything other than the POTENTIAL PROMISE of future development and stating, correctly, that his ceiling appears to be quite high

As for his D? I watched some games and he seems solid to me! 20 extra lbs will help there for sure

Didn't think he'd be there for us. He's a high risk/reward pick but I like those much more than high floor/conservative picks

[Dominator83]

I still would have liked to have seen them get bold and trade the pick for Mark Williams. Much better chance of working out than Noa does

Im fine with the big swing pick. They should be swinging for the fences. But it's far more likely to be a flyout than it id to be a home run. Would rather we be taking advantage of teams like Charlotte and let them develop guys for us !!!

[Infinity2152]

Don't think there was anybody drafted after him that was widely mocked top 5, even top 10 except KJ. Who dropped to 20. Maybe Derrick Queen. Give me Noa all day for this team.

[HomoSapien]

I heard from Beringer's agent that Bulls were super high on him and if Noa was choosen before #12, Beringer would be our pick

AKME would have needed to go into witness protection if that happened.

[eierluke]

Physically talented - but that he decides to miss the deciding game of the german championship series to fly to the NBA draft raises character questions to me.

[HomoSapien]

What you would initially want or expect from him in the first year? Coby, Giddey, Matas, and if Collins or Vuc are here, those guys are taking a TON of shots. A ton of 3 pters, and Lonzo and Smith would add to that. What we didn't have is a rim runner until now. Matas could do it too, but haven't seen that a ton from him yet. I think if he plays solid defense and cuts and dunks, he'll put up good numbers and balance the offensive team. Even if he isn't a superstar by 19 or 20.

Assuming just that he stays high motor, what's the floor for a long, athletic active guy? What does bust look like, and how long do we give him? At least until he can drink, 21?

Since he isn’t top 10, I guess can live with him not getting 18 minutes or more per night this season (but needs a trend up). But if he isn’t getting that by next season (in its entirety) and starting at some point later Season 2 (or at least being the 3rd man getting near starter minutes) or at minimum season 3… I would consider that a bust for a lotto pick.

Giannis started 71 games in his 2nd season as another raw ultra upside pick. I’m not asking for that, but by the end of season 2, or at latest early Season 3, the trend should be starting or starter minutes.

It's important to remember that Essengue is going to be the 2nd youngest player in the league next year. We're going to need to be patient. My only request: Play him ahead of Phillips and Terry unless those guys take significant steps forward.

[Chi town]

Physically talented - but that he decides to miss the deciding game of the german championship series to fly to the NBA draft raises character questions to me.

I blinked.

Then read how his team and coach gave him and Saraf an option. Talked through it all.

I’m also thinking that his playing time went down because he chose to leave for the draft.

This isn’t an NCAA championship anyway. It’s German League. Kids dream has been getting drafted.

[GuardianEnzo]

Supposedly his coach encouraged him to go and have the experience. The whole thing is a big nothingburger.

[kulaz3000]

Watch on YouTube

I'm certain this has already been posted, but of all the scouting report videos I've seen, this one seems to be the most detailed.

[kulaz3000]

Watch on YouTube

Some behind the scenes stuff about his daily routine. I love that he's only 18 and has a few years of professional experience.

I'm only about 40 seconds in to the video and boy, this kid needs to eat more!! My partner is super tiny and she eats 3 times as more than he does for breakfast!

[TheJordanRule]

It’s bad enough that we passed on KJ for Noah, but did we have to pass on Zitarsky for that slower older Aussie center too? This felt like The Consolation Draft. That last #45 for #55 + $$$ swap left a real sour taste in my mouth.

[kulaz3000]

Watch on YouTube

Some behind the scenes stuff about his daily routine. I love that he's only 18 and has a few years of professional experience.

I'm only about 40 seconds in to the video and boy, this kid needs to eat more!! My partner is super tiny and she eats 3 times as more than he does for breakfast!

[Edit] Finished watching, and now that it gives a little more insight his personality, I like him even more. He seems like a great personality with the players currently on our roster, humble, chill personality, and a hard worker. For someone so young, it truly takes discipline to maintain such focus on your goals, especially when you're doing it on your own in a foreign country (and he has to do it again in the NBA!).

When these young kids sustain that focus from a young child, to a teenager to an adult, it truly takes a massive sacrifice to be the best you can be as an athlete. It's no wonder why so many take their foot off the gas when they make it into the league.

I'm rooting for him. EAT MORE, NAO!!!!

[WindyCityBorn]

It’s bad enough that we passed on KJ for Noah, but did we have to pass on Zitarsky for that slower older Aussie center too? This felt like The Consolation Draft. That last #45 for #55 + $$$ swap left a real sour taste in my mouth.

Everyone passed on KJ.

[Andi Obst]

Physically talented - but that he decides to miss the deciding game of the german championship series to fly to the NBA draft raises character questions to me.

If you asked me whether I'd rather win a title in Germany or be right there in the green room with my family when my NBA dream comes true, I wouldn't even have to think about it.

This is on the German league. They could've prevented this and didn't.