Photo: Portland Trail Blazers/X

According to Nets Daily, the general manager of the Chinese club Qingdao Eagles claimed that Yang Hansen had received a draft promise from the Brooklyn Nets – specifically, that the team would select him if he was still on the board at No. 19 in the 2025 NBA Draft.

However, that plan was ultimately disrupted by the Portland Trail Blazers.

As noted by Danny Marang of 1080 The Fan, the Blazers were unwilling to move any lower than the 16th pick, recognizing that Hansen’s draft stock had been steadily rising in the days leading up to the event.

Portland, originally holding the 11th overall pick, decided to trade down to No. 16, ensuring they could still grab Hansen before he slipped any further – and before the Nets could act on their reported promise.

The Blazers’ move effectively blocked Brooklyn’s path to Hansen, who had emerged as a fast-rising prospect out of China.

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