The Portland Trail Blazers are confident that rookie big man Yang Hansen will exceed expectations after acquiring him in a draft-night trade from the Memphis Grizzlies.
According to Keith Smith of Spotrac, a Blazers front office executive addressed skepticism about the pick head-on. “I know you didn’t like that pick. (laughed) But we love him. In today’s NBA, your big man has to be versatile and able to do a lot of stuff. We feel like Yang is going to be really good for us, and probably sooner than most expect,” the executive said.
Yang, the No. 16 selection in the 2025 NBA Draft, was traded to Portland along with future draft considerations in exchange for the rights to Cedric Coward. He became the ninth Chinese player ever drafted and the highest from China since Yi Jianlian in 2007.
The 20-year-old center played two seasons with Qingdao in the Chinese Basketball Association, averaging 16.6 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks in his final year while shooting nearly 59% from the field. His defensive presence and ability to rebound have been key highlights throughout his career in China.
In the 2025 NBA Summer League, Hansen appeared in four games, posting 10.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per contest while shooting 45.7% from the floor. He also improved his free-throw percentage significantly, converting at an 87.5% clip over that span.
Portland views Hansen as a player who can contribute quickly thanks to his size, mobility, and passing ability. His defensive versatility and shot-blocking make him a natural fit for the team’s current roster construction.
