The Oklahoma City Thunder may already boast one of the NBA’s most dynamic young cores, but their front office isn’t settling. With stars like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams leading the charge, Oklahoma City is still looking to strengthen its championship foundation, starting with the 2025 NBA Draft.
With the draft approaching, Oklahoma City is looking to round out its plans with a fresh piece of talent. One name that keeps popping up is Noa Essengue, a 6’9″ French forward with intriguing potential. Speculation is heating up about where each top prospect might land, and several credible mock drafts are now linking Essengue to the Thunder.
Noa Essengue Predicted to Join the Thunder in the 2025 NBA Draft
The 2025 NBA Draft gives the Thunder a golden chance to add more young talent. One name that continues to gain attention is Essengue. He has been one of the fastest risers in this year’s draft class. Many big boards now place him in the top 10, and some even list him in the top five.
Given the Thunder’s stacked roster, the 18-year-old may not make an immediate impact. However, his potential is sky-high. He’s raw, but he’s athletic, long, and full of promise.
Still, not everyone believes he’ll go that high. One reporter from PFSN thinks the Thunder might grab him at No. 15. If that happens, it could be another smart, long-term move by the Thunder.
He stated, “The Oklahoma City Thunder are in a great spot. They have a championship-level team, two first-round picks this year, and a ton of future draft capital still. Essengue would be perfect for their long-term future.
“He is a gifted athlete with massive defensive upside. Developing a jump shot will be key, and he will have time to do so since the Thunder can afford to be patient with him.”
Essengue currently plays for Ratiopharm Ulm in the Basketball Bundesliga, Germany’s top league. His draft stock has been rising fast, thanks to his length, versatility, and defensive presence. He has a 6’11” wingspan, which allows him to guard multiple positions. That makes him a great fit for Oklahoma City’s switch-heavy defensive system.
Noa Essengue showed his feel for the game and improved motor helping Ulm go up 2-0 in the BBL quarterfinals. Assists, rebounds, steals and non-stop hustle showing how he impacts winning on nights his offense isn’t clicking. pic.twitter.com/BTNGNEDXOU
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) May 22, 2025
Projecting Essengue’s NBA Future
At the NBA Combine, he showed off his impressive physical tools. In addition, his recent stats back up the hype. Thus far in the 2024-2025 season, he’s averaging 11.1 and 5.1 rebounds in 23.3 minutes per game across all competitions. Some analysts predict he could go as high as No. 8, though most expect him to be selected in the mid-first round.
Recently, people have been talking a lot about how much Essengue relies on other players to create scoring chances. He isn’t the main point of attack, but he is quite useful since he can finish plays at a high level. He might become a powerful finisher if he gains weight, which would make him one of the most dangerous offensive weapons in this draft class.
His shooting is also improving, as seen by the consistent rise in his free-throw percentage. The fact that he can go to the hoop quickly and make a lot of shots makes him an even better candidate for a high-upside prospect.
The Thunder have a history of being patient with young talent. They let players develop at their own pace. If they pick Essengue, he’ll have time to sharpen his jump shot and offensive skills while making an impact on defense. With Oklahoma City’s strong player development, landing Essengue could be a great fit, and not just wishful thinking.