The Chicago Bulls added Noa Essengue in the 2025 NBA Draft to pair with Matas Buzelis and create a long, athletic, versatile forward tandem with a specific purpose: transitioning (literally) the organization into its next phase.
Buzelis is an explosive 20-year-old who stands 6-foot-10, carries a 7-foot-1 wingspan, and is capable of playing either forward spot — a rare ability for someone his size.
Essengue, just 18, measured 6-foot-10 barefoot with a 7-foot-1 wingspan at this year's draft combine. He is an athletically smooth, long and agile forward who has the physical tools to play on the wing or at power forward.
The Bulls clearly have a new type, and they're not afraid to admit it: "We’re all about bringing in young, dynamic, athletic players who can play our style of play," Chicago General Manager Marc Eversley said per Sam Smith of NBA.com. "(Essengue is) excellent in transition and can play well above the rim. He’s got great hands, a great feel for the game."
The similarities to between Buzelis and Essengue don't end there, and it's not by accident.
Bulls are all in on winning with pace, versatility ... and more pace
Chicago played at the second-fastest pace in the NBA last season and racked up the most total possessions. It was a far cry from 2023-24 when the Bulls played at the third-slowest pace and finished 21st in possessions.
It's clear that Head Coach Billy Donovan and the organization as a whole had every intention of moving on from DeMar DeRozan iso-ball. The addition of Josh Giddey from the Oklahoma City Thunder only solidified that.
Giddey and backcourt mate Coby White both ranked in the top 100 in pace (that word again) of all players who appeared in at least 65 games and played 25 minutes per game last year. Stretch that list to 200, and it includes Nikola Vucevic and Kevin Huerter, which makes up 4/5 of the Bulls' starting lineup that closed out the regular season.
Drop the criteria to 18 minutes per game, and the final member of that group, Buzlies, ranks 62nd.
When Essengue is on the floor, the Bulls are likely to play even faster. The lengthy Frenchman isn't ready to soak up heavy minutes in a half-court setting, but watch Giddey grab a rebound and see how quickly Essengue gallops in the other direction.
Add Buzelis to that picture, who's just as fast and even more explosive than his newest teammate, and you don't have to squint to see the beginnings of transition basketball Nirvana.
Giddey alone is a unique player due to his 6-foot-8 size, creativity and pass-first mindset. Add the speedy legs and long limbs of Buzelis and Essengue to the equation and peek into the nightmares of opposing coaches. If either of Chicago's young forwards beats a defender to the rim, Giddey will find them with an easy lob for an explosive finish.
As Eversley noted, this blueprint won't develop overnight, but the idea is clear: Amass length and athleticism at every position, play passable defense and then take the reins off on the fast break.
Giddey may have the keys to the car, but the franchise is now building its Bugatti around Essengue and Buzelis.