PORTLAND, OREGON — June 25, 2025 — In a draft filled with promising talent and safe bets, the Portland Trail Blazers chose to throw conventional wisdom out the window. After a trade down from the 11th to the 16th overall pick, Portland used its first-round selection to choose Yang Hansen, a 7-foot-1 center from China who had largely flown under the radar in most 2025 NBA Draft projections.
The pick sent a wave of confusion across social media and sports networks. Analysts were stunned. Fans were divided—some called it bold, others baffling. But one thing was universally agreed upon: this was the most unexpected move of the draft.
Trading Down, Then Off the Map
Portland began the evening holding the No. 11 overall pick, a solid position in a draft considered deep with both frontcourt and backcourt talent. Prospects like Carter Bryant (Arizona), Cedric Coward (Washington State), Noa Essengue (France), and Kasparas Jakucionis (Illinois) were all potential fits. The Blazers even selected Coward—whose stock had risen significantly during the pre-draft process—only to flip him minutes later to the Memphis Grizzlies.
In return, Portland received the 16th overall pick and a 2028 first-round pick previously belonging to the Orlando Magic. The strategy was sound—trading down to acquire future assets in a deep draft is often smart team-building. But with every selection that followed, familiar names were snatched up, thinning Portland’s choices by the time their new pick came around.
Then came the shocker: Yang Hansen, a relatively unknown 7-footer, walked across the stage in Brooklyn.
Who Is Yang Hansen?
Yang Hansen (listed in Eastern name order) is a 7’1 center with a 7’3 wingspan. He’s got solid fundamentals—decent footwork, a face-up game, and soft touch around the rim. He’s a capable passer and plays good positional defense. Think of him as a raw version of Donovan Clingan, but without the shot-blocking résumé.
Yang’s profile reads like a traditional big man from the early 2000s. He’s not overly athletic. He doesn’t run the floor well. He’s not an above-the-rim presence. But what he lacks in mobility, he makes up for with feel for the game and efficiency in the halfcourt.
The problem? Most analysts pegged him as a second-round talent—a developmental prospect who might be worth stashing overseas or picking up late if still available. Portland didn’t have a second-round pick. If they believed Yang wouldn’t last that long, taking him at No. 16 was the only way to secure him.
A High-Risk, High-Theory Pick
This move fits a pattern under GM Joe Cronin—taking calculated risks with long-term upside in mind. The question is whether the Blazers’ front office saw something in Yang that the rest of the league missed.
Assistant GM Mike Schmitz, a former draft analyst at ESPN with a reputation for uncovering hidden gems, is believed to have had significant input. If Yang becomes a contributor or even cracks the rotation within two seasons, this move could look like genius in hindsight.
But if he doesn’t? Portland may have flushed a valuable lottery-adjacent pick down the drain in a draft loaded with talent.
Measuring Yang Against What Could Have Been
Portland passed on several prospects who were higher on most draft boards:
- Cedric Coward, the player they briefly drafted, is now a Memphis Grizzly and was considered a high-upside combo guard.
- Carter Bryant, who joined Dylan Harper with the San Antonio Spurs at No. 2, represents the type of wing Portland desperately lacks.
- Derik Queen and Thomas Sorber, two promising bigs, went shortly before the Blazers’ new pick.
- Khaman Maluach, a mobile shot-blocker with immense upside, was taken just one spot before Yang.
- Kasparas Jakucionis, a 6’6 guard out of Illinois, was also available.
Yang will forever be compared to these names. Fair or not, his performance over the next few seasons will be used as a measuring stick against what might have been.
Portland’s Strategy: Genius or Gamble?
The Blazers now have a stockpile of future draft capital:
- 2028 Orlando 1st-rounder (via Memphis)
- 2029 Milwaukee 1st-rounder
- Pick swaps with the Bucks in 2028 and 2030
Cronin is playing the long game. In contrast to former GM Neil Olshey, who often went all-in on present-tense success, Cronin is hoarding assets and flexibility. That’s a fair approach for a rebuilding team with young talents like Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe.
But for fans hoping to see immediate progress, picking Yang may feel like a step backward.
Fan and Analyst Reactions: Mixed at Best
The reaction from Portland’s fanbase was swift and emotional. Comparisons to Dr. Seuss characters were trending on local forums, with some likening the moment to Horton Hears a What?!
Analysts on ESPN, The Ringer, and Bleacher Report were mostly confused by the pick. Some gave the Blazers a D-grade, citing Yang’s second-round projection and lack of elite athleticism.
Others were more forgiving, suggesting the pick might look better with time and context.
Does This Fit the Modern NBA?
Portland now has a frontcourt rotation filled with lane-bound bigs—Deandre Ayton, Duop Reath, and now Yang. None of them are particularly mobile defenders or stretch shooters. In an NBA that’s speeding up and spacing out, this appears to be a step in the opposite direction.
But Yang’s game isn’t completely outdated. If he can improve his conditioning, develop a pick-and-pop jumper, and become a reliable rim protector, he could fill a role similar to early-career Marc Gasol—a cerebral big who controls tempo and anchors a halfcourt defense.
What Has to Go Right
For this pick to pay off:
- Yang must outperform expectations — even becoming a solid rotation player would justify the selection.
- Other passed-over prospects must underperform — if Coward, Bryant, or Queen become stars, this decision will haunt the Blazers.
- Cronin’s long-term vision must materialize — this means building a sustainable core around Scoot, Sharpe, and possibly Yang, supplemented by future picks and savvy trades.
If all those pieces align, this will be a draft remembered as the turning point. If not, it’ll be another “what if” moment in Blazers history—right next to passing on Kevin Durant, Michael Jordan, or Luka Dončić.
In Cronin’s Defense: Building for the Future
Joe Cronin’s strategy can be viewed as one of delayed gratification. He continues to prioritize future flexibility, acquire picks, and develop talent in-house. The Yang pick fits that mold—high upside, minimal pressure, low cost.
Still, draft night is where rebuilding franchises are expected to strike gold. The fastest way to relevance in the NBA is through the draft. Every misstep sets a small-market team like Portland back years. Cronin is betting that Yang won’t just pan out—he’ll be the payoff.
Final Thoughts: No Middle Ground
There’s a reason few teams zag when the league zigs: the risk is immense. When your choice is unconventional, it leaves no room for mediocrity. Either you’re a visionary, or you’ve missed the mark entirely.
Yang Hansen may one day be a name that sparks celebration in Portland. But if he fails to make an impact while other draftees thrive, this night could be remembered as another critical misstep for a franchise desperate to reclaim relevance.
For now, all fans can do is wait—and hope Yang’s journey in the NBA becomes one worth writing home about.