Portland Trail Blazers General Manager Joe Cronin opened Wednesday’s NBA Draft press conference, labelling the selection of Yang Hansen with the 16th pick as “unconventional”.
Being self-aware enough to acknowledge the unexpected nature of the pick was apt, especially given the scathing instant reactions expressed across the NBA landscape. Afterwards, I thought about what Cronin’s predecessor Neil Olshey might have done in the same situation and concluded he would have likely employed gaslighting and obfuscation.
But while Cronin’s honesty was refreshing, critics of the pick aren’t without justification. The 2025 draft class, headlined by the Dallas Mavericks’ Cooper Flagg, has been sold as one of the more talented groups in recent memory. The fact that the Blazers thumbed their nose at consensus mock drafts was always going to ruffle feathers. And the front office was no doubt aware of that.
The basketball-watching public reads articles and mock drafts and expects to see names they’re familiar with at corresponding picks. When someone like Yang, who was largely mocked in the second round, is announced at pick 16, unrest is almost guaranteed. Cronin said his front office, which includes Assistant General Manager and known draft guru Mike Schmitz, had watched Yang for the past two years. I believe they did their due diligence, aware of every aspect of the 20-year-old’s skillset and potential.
As such, I have no reason not to be confident in Cronin’s conviction in taking Yang who has spent two seasons dominating the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA). Despite the Asian league being objectively less skilled than the NBA and college basketball, Schmitz and co. surely have the requisite experience to project his place in the US.
But why take the flyer of flyers on a guy projected to go in the second round? Well, as Cronin mentioned, the Blazers might not have been the only team interested in Yang and weren’t prepared to trade back further than the five picks they already had. More importantly, they did something the former Blazers administration seldom did: take a chance on an someone that goes against the grain.
While the Blazers have a nice young core, they’ve yet to find their difference-maker. Now, I’m not suggesting Yang is the answer, but, right now, you can’t say he isn’t.
When push comes to shove, I believe the franchise had just as much chance of finding their next cornerstone with pick 11, 16 or somewhere in the second round. Yang could very well be a bust, but if everything clicks, he could also be something special.
A Glut of Bigs
The Blazers now have five centers - Yang, Deandre Ayton, Donovan Clingan Robert Williams III and Duop Reath. Heck, if restricted free agent Jabari Walker is brought back, he’s also capable of spending time at the five.
The Yang option is particularly confusing given Clingan’s selection with the seventh pick in last year’s draft. Particularly when you consider the Blazers had been tracking Yang for two years and would have been keen on him if he had been available for the 2024 draft.
If the Blazers have legitimate designs on next year’s Play-In tournament, I’m finding it difficult to see them going into the season carrying five centers. Only one, Williams, can legitimately play the four.
I’m hoping against hope that one, maybe two, of the centers will be traded this offseason to simplify the confusion. I wouldn’t be surprised if Ayton and Williams were moved but given Cronin’s words about the length of their interest in Yang, it could also be Clingan. While the former UConn big had moments during his rookie season, there are still concerns about his ability to score and play more than 30 minutes a night.
One way or another, Cronin needs to make a move because as far as this rebuild is concerned, the Blazers can’t be taking five largely exclusive centers into the season.
The Unknowns
Despite winning 2024 CBA Defensive Player of the Year, there are real questions about Yang’s athleticism and ability to guard faster, more athletic NBA players. From the limited footage I’ve seen, I’d be reluctant to have him guard anyone outside the key.
While nobody expects seven-footers, outside of Giannis Antetokounmpo, to move like a gazelle, smart defenders should be able to be effective, even with slow feet. I think of Marc Gasol in particular, able to think himself into good defensive situations.
Whether Yang has that in the NBA remains to be seen but if he’s slightly above average on that end of the floor, it’s a ridiculously good sign.
Conclusion
The Blazers shocked pretty much everyone on Wednesday night. Not because they took the wrong player, but because they didn’t follow what the “experts” had projected. Fortunately, the Blazers have their own experts, headlined by Mike Schmitz who I have the utmost confidence in. The unconventional selection was a risk, but from what we now know, it was as calculated as possible following two years of intel gathering.
I’m not expecting Yang to be the Blazers next franchise cornerstone. The Blazers first need to find time for him to get on the court. They do this by moving one or two of the four other big men blocking his playing time. More importantly, the franchise needs to nurture the Chinese big man’s development, helping him improve his mobility and help him realize his defensive potential.
My initial reaction to Yang’s selection was “what?” “who?” “why?” and “that can’t be right”. After four days, I’m still unsure of Yang’s expected NBA impact but I do admire the front office’s willingness to take a chance and shoot for high upside. It’s a mentality that was severely lacking under the previous regime.
At the end of the day, it shouldn’t matter what I or anyone else thinks about the pick, it matters what Yang can do on the court. I know I’m not alone in saying, we all wait with bated breath to see if he can make it work.