Rookie forward Noa Essengue may force a quicker adjustment in Chicago than head coach Billy Donovan has been used to. Known for his cautious approach with young players, Donovan may have no choice but to make room for the highly-touted teenager before the end of the upcoming NBA season.
Last year’s rookie Matas Buzelis didn’t secure a regular starting role until February, but by season’s end, he was showing real star potential. Over Chicago’s final 31 games, the 20-year-old averaged 13.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.1 blocks, a sign of the Bulls’ future.
But Buzelis’ early-season role was far from prominent. In his first 49 games, he averaged just 14 minutes per outing and only exceeded the 20-minute mark ten times. That slow introduction mirrored Donovan’s usual approach with rookies, and it may suggest a similar path for Essengue, at least on paper.
However, not everyone expects the same script to play out this time. According to Jonathan Wasserman of Bleacher Report, Essengue could climb the depth chart quickly, potentially even into the starting lineup before the 2025-26 campaign wraps up.
Chicago’s Roster Puzzle: Development vs. Playoff Push
Essengue arrives with solid European experience, having played 25 games in the EuroCup over the last two seasons with Ratiopharm Ulm. That background gives him a slightly different profile than Buzelis, who spent his pre-NBA year with the G League Ignite.
At 6-foot-10 with length, agility, and upside, Essengue fits what the Bulls need. On a team that should be focused on rebuilding, he checks several boxes — defensive potential, switchability, and a high ceiling on both ends.
But here’s the catch: Chicago doesn’t seem fully committed to a rebuild.
Despite three straight seasons ending in losses to the Miami Heat in the Play-In Tournament, the Bulls’ leadership remains focused on competing for a playoff spot. That creates a tricky balance between chasing wins and giving their young talent meaningful minutes.
Donovan has typically leaned toward playing veterans when wins are at stake, and rookies like Julian Phillips and Dalen Terry saw limited action last year. They finished 13th and 14th in minutes per game, respectively.
So while Essengue has the profile of a future cornerstone, it may take time for him to earn Donovan’s trust, especially as he adjusts to a new league, a new role, and life in the U.S.
Twin Towers of the Future?
There’s real intrigue around the idea of Essengue and Buzelis playing side by side. Both are tall, fluid, and versatile, and their combined length could help the Bulls shore up what was one of the league’s weakest defensive units.
If the Bulls choose to lean into their youth movement, either due to injuries, trades, or simply falling behind in the playoff race, fans could get a glimpse of the franchise’s future frontcourt. The pairing offers positional flexibility, defensive switchability, and speed in transition.
But for now, those possibilities are likely to remain theoretical. Chicago’s internal direction remains unclear, and if the Bulls are in the hunt for a postseason spot, expect Donovan to stick with what he knows best: veterans, experience, and defensive structure.
Essengue’s breakthrough may come, but it might require patience — or a shift in organizational priorities.
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