The NBA Draft marks the first stage of the offseason. This year, it came just three days after the Finals ended. But for Bulls fans and others rooting for lottery teams, the end of the regular season feels like ages ago.
Chicago landed a steal in last year’s draft with Matas Buzelis, who unexpectedly fell to No. 11. A similar break came this year, though not quite on the same level.
ROUND 1 PICK 12: NOA ESSENGUE, FORWARD, FRANCE
GRADE: B+
Essengue was listed as a possible pick for the Bulls at No. 12 by The Lead a month ago. At the time, most projections had him going between picks 15 and 20. He then became a draft riser and climbed into top-10 discussions.
Bulls insider K.C. Johnson reported that Collin Murray-Boyles and Essengue were the two main targets for the Bulls on draft night, with Derik Queen and Joan Beringer as fallback options.
There was a serious possibility that Essengue would be taken before the Bulls were on the clock, so much so that General Manager Marc Eversley did not expect him to be there.
“We had him (Essengue) going slightly before us,” said Eversley. ” The notion that he fell to where we were made us feel very comfortable.”
Essengue is a project, but he fits the Bulls’ system well. The 6-foot-9 athletic wing brings length, energy and versatility. He thrives in transition, defends multiple positions, and can stay in front of perimeter players. He also gets to the free-throw line more than any player in this class and is the second-youngest prospect in the draft.
His weaknesses lie on the offensive end. Most of his points come on drives or finishes around the rim. He shot under 30% from three in Germany this season and still weighs around 200 pounds— light for an NBA forward. Still, he’s spent two years playing professionally overseas against grown men.
So, if the Bulls landed a young, high-upside player who fits their scheme and was widely considered the best available, why is this pick graded a B+ instead of an A?
Because of what happened right after.
The Atlanta Hawks traded the No. 13 pick to the Pelicans in exchange for No. 23 and an unprotected 2026 first-rounder. That offer likely made its way to Chicago, which picked just one spot earlier. The Pelicans are a lower-tier team in a tough Western Conference with a star who struggles to stay healthy.
The Bulls passed on the chance to potentially have two lottery picks in 2026, a draft expected to feature three prospects with immediate All-Star potential. Moving back 11 spots for a future unprotected first would have been a strong value play. Asa Newell, Jase Richardson, Liam McNeely and others were all still available at No. 23.
Essengue may become an All-Star, and the Pelicans’ pick could fall outside the lottery. But it’s hard to ignore what Chicago passed up— and who that pick could have been.
https://twitter.com/CHSN_Bulls/status/1938325592488751187
ROUND 2 PICK 55: LACHLAN OLBRICH, FORWARD, AUSTRALIA
GRADE: C
The Bulls traded with the Lakers to move down from pick No. 45 to No. 55 for cash considerations.
Olbrich is listed as a forward but plays more like a big man in the mold of Alperen Sengun. He was a key contributor for the Illawarra Hawks, who won Australia’s National Basketball League championship. He has a quick first step for a center, giving him a solid face-up game. He’s physical, attacks smaller defenders, and even showed he can handle the ball in space, bringing it up the floor during the Combine.
This pick earns a C, not higher, because other teams moved into the 40s by trading multiple second-rounders. It would have been encouraging to see the Bulls prioritize future draft assets over cash considerations. The Lakers used Chicago’s original pick, along with cash, to move up to No. 36 and select Adou Thiero. Maxime Raynaud was also available at that spot, but the Bulls needed a player on a two-way contract, and who knows if Raynaud would sign one?
FINAL GRADE: B
The Bulls come out with a B.
In a vacuum, they drafted the best players available and picked up some cash along the way. They are also sneaky winners, considering what the Brooklyn Nets did. Brooklyn was the only other team that could sign Josh Giddey to a contract with $30 million in the first year, but they drafted three guards in the first round. It is now looking like the Nets are out on Giddey, giving the Bulls all the leverage.
Chicago’s front office is asking for patience from fans, and the selection of Essengue backs that up. The team is focused on development, with 10 to 12 players in the gym every day, and Essengue’s developmental plan is set to start as soon as he gets to Chicago, according to Eversley.
The Bulls still have a clear need at center, though Nikola Vucevic, Jalen Smith and Zach Collins remain under contract for the upcoming season. The team is expected to be active on the trade market this offseason. Free agency opens June 30, though contracts can’t be officially signed until July 6.
Trades are already underway, but the start of free agency will also open the door for sign-and-trade deals.
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