The Chicago Bulls’ 2025 NBA Draft decision to select Noa Essengue over Yang Hansen at the 12th overall pick has ignited a firestorm of debate among fans, especially on platforms like Facebook, where emotions run high. With the Bulls searching for a center to anchor their future, passing on Hansen—nicknamed the “Chinese Jokic” for his playmaking prowess—already feels like a colossal misstep by executive Arturas Karnisovas. Hansen’s dazzling Summer League performances with the Portland Trail Blazers have fans buzzing, while Essengue’s lackluster showing, highlighted by a viral dunk against him, has fueled regret. Let’s unpack this draft choice, compare the two prospects, and explore why this miss could haunt Chicago’s rebuilding efforts.
The Bulls’ Draft Decision: Essengue Over Hansen
With the 12th pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, the Chicago Bulls opted for Noa Essengue, an 18-year-old French forward known for his athleticism and defensive potential. Standing at 6’10” with a 7’1” wingspan, Essengue is a raw, high-upside prospect who fits Karnisovas’s preference for versatile, athletic wings. However, his Summer League performance in Las Vegas was underwhelming, averaging 12.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.3 steals, and 0.7 blocks per game on 41.9% shooting, with three turnovers per game. His most memorable moment? Being posterized by Johnny Furphy, a moment that has become a viral lowlight for Bulls fans. Essengue’s raw offensive game and lack of readiness for NBA rotation minutes highlight his status as a long-term project.
In contrast, Yang Hansen, selected by the Portland Trail Blazers at No. 16, has turned heads with his electrifying play. The 7’1” Chinese center, who played for the Qingdao Eagles in the CBA, averaged 10.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 2.0 blocks in 24.8 minutes over his first two Summer League games. His passing vision and playmaking ability, rare for a big man, have drawn comparisons to three-time MVP Nikola Jokic, though his defense remains a question mark. Posts on X from the NBA celebrated Hansen’s debut, noting his “walking highlight reel” performance, including a one-handed jam and a three-pointer, sparking excitement about his potential to challenge for Portland’s starting center role. The Bulls, desperate for a center with Nikola Vucevic’s trade talks stalling, missed a golden opportunity to secure a dynamic offensive creator.
Yang Hansen: The Star Chicago Missed
Yang Hansen’s Summer League performances have showcased why he’s considered a steal at No. 16. His ability to dissect defenses with pinpoint passes and facilitate easy buckets for teammates sets him apart. In his debut, Hansen posted 10 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 blocks, demonstrating a blend of scoring, playmaking, and rim protection. His 58.6% field goal percentage and 33.3% three-point shooting in the CBA last season (16.6 points, 10.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 2.6 blocks per game) underline his offensive versatility. While his high-hipped frame and lack of lateral quickness raise concerns about his NBA defensive translation, his offensive upside is undeniable. Portland’s trade to acquire him reflects their belief in his potential to become a cornerstone, possibly surpassing incumbent centers like Donovan Clingan.
For the Bulls, Hansen would have been an ideal fit. With Vucevic, 34, on an expiring contract and trade talks faltering, Chicago lacks a clear answer at center. Zach Collins, their current backup, is better suited as a power forward, and Essengue profiles as a four, not a five. Hansen’s playmaking could have complemented young talents like Matas Buzelis and Josh Giddey, injecting hope into a fanbase craving a spark. His ability to run a five-out offense would have aligned with coach Billy Donovan’s up-tempo style, making the Bulls’ decision to pass on him even more perplexing.
Noa Essengue: A Risky Project
Noa Essengue’s selection at No. 12 was a bet on long-term potential. His athleticism, length, and defensive versatility drew comparisons to Pascal Siakam and Nicolas Batum, but his offensive game remains a work in progress. In Germany’s EuroCup with Ratiopharm Ulm, he averaged 12.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.4 steals on 56% shooting, but his 29.4% three-point shooting and lack of shot creation highlight his rawness. His ability to get to the free-throw line (5.6 attempts per game) and finish at the rim is promising, but his 198-pound frame leaves him vulnerable against stronger NBA bigs.
Bulls GM Marc Eversley praised Essengue’s two-way potential, noting his ability to “play downhill” and defend multiple positions. However, with Chicago stuck in mediocrity—finishing 39-43 for two straight seasons and losing in the Play-In Tournament—the choice of a project over a more polished prospect like Hansen feels like a misstep. Essengue’s Summer League struggles, including being outscored by 33 points in his 74 minutes, underscore his distance from contributing meaningfully. Fans on Facebook are already voicing frustration, with many pointing to the Furphy dunk as a symbol of the Bulls’ draft woes.
The Karnisovas Era: A Pattern of Missed Opportunities
The decision to draft Essengue over Hansen fits a troubling pattern under Arturas Karnisovas’s leadership. Since taking over in 2020, the Bulls have one playoff appearance and no series wins, with a roster overhaul that saw DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine, and Alex Caruso traded. Karnisovas’s preference for raw, athletic prospects—seen in picks like Patrick Williams, Dalen Terry, and Matas Buzelis—has yet to yield consistent results. While Buzelis earned All-Rookie Second Team honors, the Bulls’ inability to escape the Play-In Tournament reflects a lack of immediate impact from these selections.
Passing on Hansen, who could have addressed a glaring need at center, adds to the narrative of Karnisovas’s questionable draft decisions. Other bigs like Derik Queen and Khaman Maluach were available at No. 12, yet the Bulls chose Essengue, whose development timeline may not align with Chicago’s need to compete in a weakening Eastern Conference. Social media platforms like Facebook are flooded with fan reactions, from memes lamenting the Bulls’ “nightmare” to posts celebrating Hansen’s highlights, amplifying the regret over this missed opportunity.
Why This Matters to Bulls Fans
The Bulls’ fanbase, desperate for a return to relevance, sees Hansen’s Summer League brilliance as a reminder of what could have been. His highlight-reel plays—dunks, three-pointers, and no-look passes—have generated buzz that contrasts sharply with Essengue’s quiet debut. For a team struggling to rebuild after trading away its core, Hansen’s immediate charisma and playmaking would have energized fans and provided a building block alongside Buzelis. Instead, Essengue’s long-term upside, while promising, offers little immediate hope, leaving fans to question Karnisovas’s vision. The viral nature of this debate on social media underscores the emotional investment of Bulls supporters, who are tired of mediocrity and yearn for a star to rally behind.
The Chicago Bulls’ decision to draft Noa Essengue over Yang Hansen in the 2025 NBA Draft is shaping up as a regrettable blunder, with Hansen’s Summer League heroics amplifying the missed opportunity. While Essengue’s athleticism and defensive potential make him an intriguing project, his rawness and lack of readiness pale in comparison to Hansen’s polished playmaking and immediate impact. For a Bulls team in desperate need of a center and a spark, passing on the “Chinese Jokic” could haunt Karnisovas’s tenure. As fans vent their frustrations on Facebook, the contrast between Hansen’s highlight-reel plays and Essengue’s struggles fuels a growing narrative of disappointment. Will Essengue prove the doubters wrong, or will Hansen’s stardom in Portland cement this as another misstep for Chicago? Only time will tell, but the early signs point to regret.