The Chicago Bulls' Summer League season has finished up and now the real challenge begins for VP of Basketball Operations Bryson Graham.

The Bulls' roster is bursting with young talent but whether or not many of its younger players are ready for the bright lights remains to be seen.

One player with an uncertain 2026-27 future is 2025 first round draft pick Noa Essengue, who was chosen with the 12th pick in the draft out of Ratiopharm Ulm in Germany. 

Essengue was the second-youngest player in the draft just behind Cooper Flagg, but according to one NBA insider, he isn't on the same plane in terms of his NBA readiness. 

Essengue played in four Summer League games for coach Tiago Splitter's Bulls franchise with mixed results.

The Bulls prospect averaged 18.6 minutes per game, shooting 43.8% from the field while struggling mightily from three-point range, and from the free throw stripe. 

Essengue shot 16.7% from three and 54.5% from the line giving him plenty to work on going into this fall. 

His small sample size tells the tale of a player who might not be ready for prime time.

According to reporter Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times, Essengue has a challenging road to make the Bulls' roster in 2026. 

"Noa Essengue and (Patrick Williams) were once lottery picks, Now, they might not even crack the Bulls rotation this season," Cowley wrote. 

The Orleans, France born Bulls forward is continuing to hone his game in many ways. Toughness stands out as an area where he must improve according to Splitter. 

Oct 16, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Donte DiVincenzo (0) dunks the ball on Chicago Bulls forward Noa Essengue (24) during the first half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images

Essengue is being molded in a variety of ways by the Bulls' coaching staff.

Improving his mindset, force and toughness are all on his to-do list.

"He's got to maybe bring a little more force in everything he does," Splitter said.

"That's something we're working on." 

Splitter said that Chicago is not pumping the brakes on his NBA training.

"Yeah, we're going to keep pushing him," he said about the Bulls' second year forward according to Cowley. 

Cowley seems bullish on the Bulls sophomore's future in the NBA, but doesn't sound optimistic about his chances of making the team, let alone the playing rotation, at the start of the season.

Essengue underwent season-ending shoulder surgery last December which has set him back in his quest to make Chicago's roster. 

He looks to have a bright future, but a G League detour may be in order. 

"His best basketball is in front of him, but that might be in the G League to start the season," Cowley wrote.