Yang Hansen Reportedly 'Intrigued' Blazers Since 2023, Plan to Be in NBA 'Immediately'
The Portland Trail Blazers pulled off one of the biggest surprises in the first round of the 2025 NBA draft by adding Qingdado center Yang Hansen with the No. 16 overall pick.
Per ESPN's Jonathan Givony, the Blazers infatuation with Hansen dates back to 2023 when they became "intrigued" by his NBA prospects when he played for China in the FIBA U19 World Cup.
Givony added Portland's plan is to bring Hansen "immediately" to the United States and start his development.
Hansen was actually drafted by the Memphis Grizzlies, who traded the pick to Portland in exchange for the No. 11 overall pick (Cedric Coward). Portland also got back a 2028 first-round pick and two future second-round picks.
There weren't a lot of pre-draft prognostications that had Hansen as a first-round pick. B/R's Jonathan Wasserman ranked him as the No. 45 overall prospect.
"At the combine, Yang looked like he belonged. He played with swagger and confidence while scoring 12 points in the opening scrimmage and totaling 11 points, six boards and six assists in the second one," wrote Wasserman.
The Blazers now have two young centers with very different playing styles. Hansen is an offense-first big who can shoot away from the basket and passing ability.
Donovan Clingan, the seventh overall pick in 2024, is going to succeed in the NBA as a rim protector.
If things work out the way the Blazers are hoping, they could emulate the 2023-24 Minnesota Timberwolves with Rudy Gobert and Karl-Anthony Towns. That's a high bar for any duo to clear, but Portland is building an intriguing core for next season.
Clingan, Hansen, Shaedon Sharpe, Scoot Henderson, Jerami Grant and Jrue Holiday—assuming they keep him after the trade with the Boston Celtics is finalized—is at the very least interesting.
The competition level in the Western Conference is incredibly high, so the Blazers would need a lot of things to go right to challenge for a playoff spot. But they seem to have short- and long-term plans that are aligning this offseason.
