PORTLAND Ore. (KPTV) – The Portland Trail Blazers have been fined $100,000 for illegal pre-draft contact with rookie center Yang Hansen.
On Wednesday afternoon, the NBA said that the Blazers had engaged in “illegal contact” with Hansen back in December 2023, violating league rules on contact with draft-ineligible players.
ESPN’s Shams Charania shared a statement from the Blazers on social media that says the team self-reported to the league:
“When this was brought to our attention the Portland Trail Blazers self reported to the NBA. The team cooperated fully with the investigation and accept the league’s determination.”
Statement from the Trail Blazers: “When this was brought to our attention the Portland Trail Blazers self reported to the NBA. The team cooperated fully with the investigation and accept the league’s determination.” https://t.co/Yns0w0pSgB
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 1, 2026
Hansen was drafted 16th overall by the Memphis in the 2025 NBA Draft, and then traded to the Blazers for the draft rights to Cedric Coward.
The Blazers assigned Hansen to the Rip City Remix on Wednesday morning. The 20-year-old center has averaged 2.3 points and 1.6 rebounds in his first NBA season.
In addition to the fine, the Blazers’ assistant general managers Mike Schmitz and Sergi Oliva have been suspended without pay for two weeks, according to the league.
FOX 12 has reached out to the Portland Trail Blazers for comment on the fine and suspensions.
This is a developing story.
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