Yang Hansen was a massive investment for the Portland Trail Blazers in the 2025 NBA Draft. Initially, Portland had the 11th pick, but traded down to select Yang with the 16th pick. So far, it could be another Blazers fumble, as Yang’s opportunities within Splitter’s system have been sporadic.

Yang Hansen Could Be Another Portland Trail Blazers Fumble

The Portland Trail Blazers are no strangers to making some bad decisions in the NBA Draft. They missed out on Michael Jordan in 1984, Kevin Durant in 2007, and multiple players in 2017. With their recent first-round pick being Yang Hansen, people are thinking this could be another Blazers fumble.

Considering the 11th pick went to the Memphis Grizzlies, and they selected Cedric Coward. The 22-year-old wing could have been the optimal shooter. Another factor was that he played Division III basketball at Willamette in Oregon from 2021 to 2022.

Coward has become one of the leading candidates for Rookie of the Year, while Yang is struggling to get minutes. Now, people are looking back at the Yang pack and lamenting about missing out on Coward or Derik Queen. Everyone loves Yang, but he is a long way away from being a rotation player.

Yang’s Opportunities are Way Too Sporadic

Entering the 2025-26 NBA season, most people knew that the Trail Blazers had a deep center rotation. Even when Deandre Ayton left, Portland still had three rotational centers and one rookie.

Donovan Clingan proved in the 2024-25 season that he is here to stay. Robert Williams III is an oft-injured center, but he is superb when healthy. Duop Reath is the third-string center, who has been a constant for Portland in recent seasons.

Yang Hansen in tonight’s game

▫️21 PTS
▫️9 REB
◽️3 BLK pic.twitter.com/iPm2epO4hq

— Rip City Remix (@ripcityremix) November 17, 2025

That left Yang fourth on the totem pole as a rookie center with high expectations. It is not easy to develop if he is behind three rotational centers. That has led to a short stint with the Blazers’ G-League affiliate, the Rip City Remix.

Yang did well in his stint there, but the Blazers’ injuries led to a quick call-up. So far, he has played a few games for the Blazers, but they have been insignificant. He needs to develop, and that should happen through Yang’s opportunities in the G-League.

Yang Does Not Have a Place in Spitter’s System Yet

Since he is only 20, Yang has a lot of time for development. Considering the team entered the season with Chauncey Billups as the head coach, Tiago Splitter deserves some slack.

The Brazilian is only the acting head coach, as he joined the Blazers as an assistant in the summer. He has stepped into the role well, as the players seem to adore him. However, Yang is not one of the players who have benefited.

No. 16 overall pick Yang Hansen shined in Portland’s preseason win tonight!

🏀 16 points
🏀 4 rebounds
🏀 3 blocks pic.twitter.com/StBBpTRpAo

— NBA (@NBA) October 11, 2025

Splitter’s system requires a more mobile lineup, so Williams and Clingan are the primary centers. Hansen is more of a back-to-basket center who does not run the floor often.

In the future, Splitter could integrate Yang more, as he does have a high offensive ceiling. The feel for the game and his passing are superb, which could secure him a long-term spot in the NBA.

However, it will still be up to Splitter to make the decision. Williams is playing so well that he deserves the backup spot. Yang could keep improving behind the scenes to impress the acting head coach.

Yang Has a Lot of Time to Prove He’s Not a Blazers Fumble

Thankfully for the Chinese rookie, he has plenty of time to prove himself. Whether it’s for the G-League or spot minutes with Splitter’s system, he must impress everyone.

Playing hard is a given, but he should showcase his unique skill set. The post moves with the playmaking could make him a dangerous offensive center. While he’s not the Chinese version of Nikola Jokic, he has the skills to stay in the league.

Portland would love to hit on this pick because they need more youth to boost this team’s potential. Clingan is the long-term starter, but Yang should use that as fuel to motivate himself.

© Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images