This year’s draft is filled with many prospects that possess significant upside and potential for the team that drafts them. One particular international prospect playing for Ulm this year is easily one of the highest-upside players in the draft. That prospect is Noa Essengue, who is a rangy forward who has excellent physical tools. Standing at six-foot-ten, Essengue has the perfect combination of size, athleticism, and physical tools to be an excellent defensive player. Not only that, but he has flashed intriguing offensive potential. With that sort of upside, teams will have interest in drafting someone like Essengue. Let’s dive into the best fits for Noa Essengue among teams in the 2025 NBA Draft.
Best Fits for Noa Essengue In The 2025 NBA Draft
Brooklyn Nets
The Brooklyn Nets would be a great place for Essengue and his potential development. Brooklyn is in the position of needing more talent on the roster as they lack prospects who have long-term upside with the team. Specifically, they need to start building up a roster with high-potential players who can serve as the foundation for the next iteration of Nets basketball. Essengue, in particular, can be someone who is a big part of their future moving forward. If the Nets can help Essengue with his development, especially on the offensive end, they will have a valuable two-way wing on their hands. While Essengue is markedly raw as a prospect, betting on his development and his physical tools could pay off.
On Essengue’s end, landing in a place like Brooklyn can afford him the time necessary for his development specifically. In terms of their timeline as a team, the Nets will need a few more seasons before looking to make the postseason again. A timeline like that is perfect for Essengue to use that time for development. He does have specific areas like shooting that Essengue must work on to reach his potential. Overall, taking Essengue is a prospect that the Nets should look into drafting and developing.
Oklahoma City Thunder
Another team that can use the services of Essengue is the Oklahoma City Thunder. Despite being a title contender, they can use a taller wing who can defend bigger forwards. Essengue has the physical tools, size, and athleticism to be a multi-positional defender for the Thunder. Plus, Essengue has flashed potential as a passer and shooter who can also handle the ball to a certain extent. Those characteristics fit into Oklahoma City’s drafting philosophy and are aspects that they can help Essengue develop. While Essengue himself won’t play much initially, he will get to develop with the Thunder’s developmental staff. They have been successful in developing numerous role players over the years like Aaron Wiggins. There is a clear fit for Essengue on Oklahoma City’s roster and they can get a steal if they further his development.
Miami Heat
The Miami Heat would also be an interesting landing spot for both Essengue and the team. Miami can use more frontcourt depth around Bam Adebayo and Essengue’s defensive abilities can be an intriguing fit next to him. Not only that, but Essengue’s potential and overall upside is something that the franchise needs to be infused with, given their dismal season after the Jimmy Butler trade. Essengue can give the team some hope for the future, given his potential as a two-way wing. As for Essengue, he will get to develop in Miami’s developmental system, which has churned out successful players over the years. Plus, he will likely have opportunities for minutes due to Miami’s lack of frontcourt depth. Taking Essengue in the draft can work out well for both the team and the player.
Photo credit: © Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
The post Best Fits For Noa Essengue In The 2025 NBA Draft appeared first on Last Word On Basketball.