You may have forgotten, but yes, the Chicago Bulls do actually have a rookie on their roster. And today, the team finally laid out its roadmap for the young forward’s development.
While Noa Essengue has yet to appear in a regular-season game, the 18-year-old flashed plenty of potential through Summer League and preseason play. Still, the coaching staff and front office don't appear too confident with his readiness for live NBA action just yet.
According to K.C. Johnson of Chicago Sports Network: “Billy Donovan said Noa Essengue will start practicing and playing games with the Windy City Bulls... Likely will be an extended stretch. Part of the teenager's development.”
In other words: Don’t expect to see Essengue suiting up with the varsity squad anytime soon.
This shouldn’t really come as a surprise to anyone who’s been following the Bulls closely. The young Frenchman showed intriguing upside in limited minutes, but he remains a long-term project. Chicago selected Essengue with the No. 12 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, and the organization is taking a careful developmental approach rather than rushing him into the rotation.
Noa Essengue decision a smart move by Chicago
The timing of this move makes perfect sense. The Bulls are off to a red-hot 4-0 start to the 2025-26 campaign, and throwing an incredibly raw rookie into a rotation that’s already clicking would be counterproductive. Additionally, Billy Donovan has never been known to give rookies significant minutes early in the season anyway.
This G League assignment will allow Essengue to adjust to the NBA’s pace and work on the areas Donovan has emphasized: adding strength and learning to handle physical defenders. The coaching staff has been transparent about what needs to improve before he steps on an NBA court.
The Matas Buzelis blueprint
Sound familiar? This is the same patient blueprint Chicago followed with Matas Buzelis last season. That gradual introduction to NBA action has obviously paid off for him, as Buzelis now looks like a name that could be in All-Star conversations come February. The Bulls are clearly hoping lightning can strike twice.
Essengue likely won’t be away from the team full-time, either. Expect him to remain around the main roster when possible, soaking up knowledge from veterans and learning what it means to be a professional at the highest level. However, for now, the G League will be his place for getting as many reps as possible.
Ultimately, at just 18 years old, Essengue still has all the time in the world. All the Chicago Bulls are doing is making sure he uses it wisely.