Bulls forward Noa Essengue, the 12th overall pick in the 2025 draft, won’t travel to New York for Sunday’s game against the Knicks, head coach Billy Donovan said today (Twitter links via Joel Lorenzi of The Athletic and K.C. Johnson of The Chicago Sports Network).
Instead, the 18-year-old will be assigned to the G League on Saturday to begin practicing and playing for the Windy City Bulls. As Lorenzi notes, Chicago’s NBAGL affiliate is in the early stages of training camp — Windy City’s season opener is next Saturday, October 8.
According to Johnson, Essengue is likely to spend extended time with Windy City to open his rookie season. The French forward has yet to make his NBA regular season debut for the Bulls, who are off to a 4-0 start.
Essengue, who played professionally last year in Germany, didn’t look NBA-ready in Summer League action in Las Vegas or during the preseason, so it’s not surprising that he’ll need to continue to work to adjust to the speed and physicality of the league.
Never understand how you pass on Queen and Sorber.
For a SF who won’t be ready for 5 yrs. And a team full of SFs …..
Knicks not playing any D. All this talk about a new offense. When it’s their D. That needed the most work. Bulls hitting their shots spanking the Knicks right now.
I wonder if Bulls fan still don’t want Giddey. When his shot gets consistent like tonight. Sky is the limit for him.
Bust
Knicks give up 135 pts …give up 45/84 FG, 28/35 FT,
All the talk about a new offense. Yet what needed most fixing is their defense. Knicks had 4 players score 20 pts. Bulks had 7 players with double figure pts. And 40 bench points……
The problem last yr with Knicks was their team D and their bench. Looks like it still is tonight against Bulls.
Watching last two gms, loses. What has crossed my mind the most. Is this doesn’t happen with Thibs here.