You won't be reminded enough throughout the exhibition season: It's only summer league! These games don't matter, yadda yadda yadda. While that's true, it's an uncontrolled environment flush with fresh faces looking to make an impact; there are real takeaways to be made.
First and foremost, the Chicago Bulls' Summer League squad was completely outmatched in the 116-72 defeat. The Toronto Raptors were far more physical than the Bulls, forcing a mind-boggling 33 turnovers. The Raptors' backcourt of Jamal Shead, Ja'Kobe Walter, A.J. Lawson, and Alijah Martin stymied Chicago's ball handlers.
Moreover, Toronto's overbearing physicality gravely affected Chicago's prized first-round selection, Noa Essengue. The second-youngest prospect in the 2025 NBA Draft certainly looked his age. Essengue finished with five points, three rebounds, three steals, one block, and seven turnovers. The 18-year-old converted 2-of-7 field goals and 1-of-3 three-pointers.
Noa Essengue's debut confirmed our greatest hopes and biggest doubts
He often looked uncertain in his first contest stateside, lacking the requisite decisiveness required from an NBA player. Pumping the brakes, it is the summer league. Essengue will be asked to leave his comfort zone, especially once Matas Buzelis is soon shut down. Nevertheless, Essengue's lack of physicality and nonchalant nature were particularly magnified in a sped-up, loose setting of play.
It is valid to proclaim that Essengue's disappointing debut was not completely his fault. Reliable ball handlers would have done the Frenchman justice. Both his field goals came via assists. A Yuki Kawamura outlet pass led to Essengue's first summer league points—a transition slam. A minute later, the 6-foot-10 forward drained a left-wing triple as the first quarter came to a close.
Essengue didn't score for the rest of the evening, but he still displayed some valuable traits. Listed 6-foot-10, Essengue looks even bigger. It wouldn't be shocking to see Essengue eventually be listed at 6-foot-11 or even 7-foot tall. Still, despite his length, Essengue must get stronger. He's only 194 pounds, and his lack of strength was immediately telling, even against summer league competition.
On the bright side, his length was overwhelming at times for the Raptors. Essengue's three steals led the Bulls. Although he only recorded one block, he altered plenty of shots. His sheer size and length alone make him an intimidating presence on the interior. A structured setting would ultimately do Essengue well. His weak-side rim protection wasn't as evident in an up-and-down contest.
Even though the Bulls turned the Raptors over 19 times, transition opportunities were few and far between—another area Essengue excels. Chicago scored only 16 fast-break points, two of which were Essengue's.
All in all, the French forward finished the game as a minus-32. It wasn't pretty, and he knows it. Following the game, Essngue told Chicago Sports Network's K.C. Johnson, "I need to be better [at] everything." It won't be an easy journey for Essengue, but time is on his side, and the flashes were promising in his first appearance for the Bulls.