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Bulls pick up Buzelis and Essengue options as the November 2 rookie scale option deadline nears

By McKinley Malbrough III, J.D., MS-HRM · Certified WNBA player agent · Former certified NBA agent

Published October 25, 2026. Last updated October 25, 2026.

The Chicago Bulls exercised the 2027-28 team options on forward Matas Buzelis and forward Noa Essengue on October 20, 2026, per Yardbarker, republishing Hoops Rumors. This post covers the news, the deadline and the two Bay Area teams. The rule behind it is in the guide to NBA team options.

What did the Bulls decide on Buzelis and Essengue?

Buzelis, a 2024 first-round pick, has a fourth-year option worth about $7.58 million in 2027-28, per Yardbarker. His 2026-27 salary is about $5.72 million. Essengue, a 2025 first-round pick, has a third-year option worth $5.97 million, and the Bulls will decide on his 2028-29 option next year, per the same report.

Both were picks from the first round, so their contracts carry the built-in options described in the rookie scale guide. Exercising one locks in the salary for that season, with protection set by the contract, as explained in the guaranteed contract guide.

What is due by November 2?

Every team with a third- or fourth-year option on a 2027-28 salary must decide by Monday, November 2, 2026, per Yardbarker. The usual date is October 31, but the CBA moves the deadline to the next business day when October 31 is a weekend, per Article VIII, Section 1(a) of the 2023 NBA CBA. Players drafted in 2024 face fourth-year options and players drafted in 2025 face third-year options, per Yardbarker.

Hoops Rumors reports that 27 teams hold options this year, per Hoops Rumors. Its September 4 list had 59 pending options and no decisions yet, per Yardbarker, so the Bulls' two are the only decisions reported in the sources used for this post. Other decisions may have been made since.

Which Bay Area teams have options pending?

On the September 4 list, the Warriors have none, per Yardbarker. The Kings have one: guard Nique Clifford's third-year option, listed at $3,418,800 for 2027-28, per the same list. Clifford is a 2025 pick, so the Kings are deciding on a third-year option.

The Warriors' most recent rookie scale decision was an extension, covered in the post on Brandin Podziemski's $110 million deal. Seven players from the 2023 class signed before the October 19 deadline, per the deadline results post.

What happens if a team says no?

A declined option ends the contract after the last guaranteed season, and the player reaches free agency one year early for a fourth-year option or two for a third-year option. A first-round pick whose option was not exercised is excluded from restricted free agency, per Article XI, Section 4(b) of the CBA. The guide to rookie extensions and restricted free agency explains the difference.

No decline has been reported in the sources used for this post.