The jury is still out on Chicago Bulls rookie Noa Essengue, but it’s going to remain that way for a long time. Not only is he a young, raw prospect, but he also won’t play basketball again this season. Picking him may or may not age well, but as of now, it looks like a mistake. The team could use a healthy, impact contributor right now. They could also use someone at a position of need with upside that’s actually healthy. In one insider’s re-draft, the Bulls land someone who has upside and is currently dominating the G League.
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Oct 16, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard/forward Terrence Shannon Jr. (1) defends Chicago Bulls forward Noa Essengue (24) during the second half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images
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The Chicago Bulls picked Noa Essengue with the 12th pick, passing on a host of potential impact players:
Derik Queen
Walter Clayton
Drake Powell
Ryan Kalkbrenner
Sion James
Liam McNeeley
What if the Bulls could do it over again? They may still take someone with high upside and development needed, but they would make a better pick, according to Bleacher Report’s Greg Swartz. He believes that they’d snag Duke center Khaman Maluach, who went 10th originally to the Phoenix Suns, over Essengue, who fell to the Brooklyn Nets at 22nd overall.
“Essengue’s rookie season lasted all of six minutes, as the 18-year-old will be sidelined for the rest of 2025-26 following shoulder surgery,” Swartz wrote. “It’s safe to say the Chicago Bulls might go in a different direction here.” He called Maluach a “raw” but “talented” center who could easily learn from Nikola Vucevic in the vet’s last season in Chicago. Then, he could take over and become a “defensive anchor next year.”
Sep 29, 2025; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Noa Essengue (24) poses for photos during Chicago Bulls Media Day. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images
“Maluach has gotten most of his run in the G League to this point, averaging a double-double with 14.5 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 3.0 blocks in 28.8 minutes over four games,” Swartz said. Those elite numbers will be diluted at the NBA level, but he is proving he can play. Maluach would also be the center of the future, a big need in Chicago, rather than another toolsy forward that does it all but doesn’t shoot exceptionally well (like Matas Buzelis).
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