Noa Essengue’s place in Chicago has already become one of the more delicate storylines of the Bulls’ summer, and the clock is ticking before the team has to make a real financial call.
The second-year forward’s rough showing in Las Vegas has only sharpened the scrutiny. He was moved to a bench role in the Bulls’ third Summer League game against the Washington Wizards, after already sitting the second half of Chicago’s second game against the Utah Jazz. For a young player trying to carve out a future, that kind of usage sends a clear message.
Tiago on bringing Noa off the bench in the second half
“Just wanted more from him” pic.twitter.com/18BNy5RVAA
- Will Gottlieb (@Will_Gottlieb) July 14, 2026
The bigger issue is what comes next. Essengue is on a four-year, $25.3 million rookie-scale deal, and the contract includes a third-year team option worth $5.9 million.
Chicago has until Oct. 31, 2026, to decide whether to pick it up, according to Spotrac. If the Bulls turn it down, Essengue would head into unrestricted free agency in the 2027 offseason.
That decision matters even more now that executive vice president of basketball operations Bryson Graham has helped steer a front office that clearly values cap flexibility. Chicago’s 2026 offseason additions of center Nic Claxton and guard Norman Powell came without using draft capital, and the Bulls also extended Zach Collins on a two-year deal. That approach suggests a front office that is willing to stay disciplined with its money, especially when it comes to young players who haven’t yet established themselves.
Under Graham, the Bulls are no longer operating like the old Arturas Karnisovas era, when player options were handed out freely. The new standard, outside of rookies, has been two-year contracts with a team option.
For Essengue, the concern is that his summer league play hasn’t made the case for extra commitment. Through Chicago’s first three games in Las Vegas, he has looked uneven, still recovering from the rookie-season injury setback that already slowed his momentum.
He has not shown much of a stable, assertive physical presence on either end. Too often, he’s been knocked off his spot defensively or screened out of actions without much resistance.
That leaves the Bulls with a straightforward question: do they keep waiting, or do they move on if they don’t see a realistic path to him becoming stronger and giving them real minutes?
There is still a case for patience. Essengue’s size and wingspan give him tools that could matter if Chicago is trying to build a tougher defensive identity. And if the new regime really does have a serious development plan in place - both in the practice facility and with the Windy City Bulls - then the front office could decide it’s worth giving the forward more time to see what that program can unlock.
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