With the 12th overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, the Chicago Bulls selected 18-year-old French prospect Noa Essengue—a move that quickly drew mixed reactions. Essengue’s climb into lottery territory made the selection far from surprising, but his inexperience stood in stark contrast to the Bulls’ need for a ready-made contributor.
It was a polarizing selection, especially because the Bulls reportedly had the option to trade back and secure additional draft capital. The Atlanta Hawks’ 13th pick was sent to the New Orleans Pelicans in exchange for No. 23 and New Orleans’ highly coveted 2026 first-rounder, which was a move that ultimately benefited both teams.