Insider’s Chicago Bulls rookie prediction is great news

Originally posted on ChiCitySports | By Zachary Roberts | Last updated Oct 14, 2025 1:28 PM ET

The Chicago Bulls have a couple of younger pieces to build around. Clearly, Josh Giddey is the future, as he’s now signed through his age-26 season. Coby White is 25, and Matas Buzelis is freshly 21. That doesn’t exactly make up a young core, but that’s where Noa Essengue could come into play. The young, raw prospect could end up being a key piece soon. In fact, one insider predicts that he’ll not only be a key piece for Chicago this season, but that it will push a maligned player out of town expeditiously.

NBA insider has exciting prediction for Chicago Bulls

Sep 29, 2025; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Noa Essengue (24) poses for photos during Chicago Bulls Media Day. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images

Things have not gone well for Patrick Williams and the Chicago Bulls since he was drafted. Not only has he been a pretty big bust, the team has struggled to move forward in that time. An answer to the problem might be on the roster now, though. Noa Essengue projects to one day be a vital forward on the roster, thereby decreasing the need for Williams any longer.

This is Bleacher Report’s Greg Swartz’s bold prediction for the 2025 rookie class in Chicago: that Essengue will immediately force Williams out. “Patrick Williams has long been a disappointment for the Chicago Bulls despite being selected No. 4 overall in 2020. The Bulls selection of forward Noa Essengue will finally end the Williams experiment in Chicago,” Swartz wrote.

“The team has become more forward-heavy this offseason, especially with the selection of the 6’9″ Essengue at No. 12 overall and the Lonzo Ball-Isaac Okoro swap. Matas Buzelis is already locked in as one starting forward in Chicago,” he continued. The spots for Williams on the active roster are dwindling. If Essengue can develop quickly, he’ll likely end up as the final straw for Williams’ Chicago tenure.

NBA: Chicago Bulls at Cleveland Cavaliers Apr 8, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Patrick Williams (44) drives to the basket beside Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen (31) in the fourth quarter at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images

“Expect Williams to hit the trade market, with Essengue’s timeline of success correlating to the Bulls’ motivation to move on from their former lottery pick,” Swartz concluded. Of course, Essengue is young and unpolished. He was not a plug-and-play type of rookie, so it may take time. If that’s the case, and he needs development in the G League, then it’s possible that Williams survives to another offseason. Nevertheless, his time is running out. Essengue can put an end to it.

This article first appeared on ChiCitySports and was syndicated with permission.

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