Analysts on NBA Today discussed which big man they are watching closely this season, and Boban Marjanović picked Portland Trail Blazers rookie Yang Hansen.
"I was in China last half season and I watched him how he played," Marjanović said. "This guy is amazing: How he moves, how he protects the ball, how he shoots."
Boban Marjanović thinks Yang Hansen will be the next big man that makes his mark in the NBA 🔥 pic.twitter.com/biEWREBbR3
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) October 14, 2025
Yang Hansen could be the Blazers' missing star
It's interesting because Marjanović points out Hansen's movement, ball security, and shooting, but we don't even consider those to be his biggest strengths. That goes to show how well-rounded Hansen is; we can point to multiple aspects of his game that he does well, particularly on the offensive end. For us, it's the passing, footwork, and overall basketball IQ that give Hansen a substantially higher ceiling than the vast majority of his 2025 draft classmates.
The best-case scenario is a "Baby Jokic" or taller version of Alperen Şengün. Hansen's skillset and physical tools fall in between these two star centers. No one will ever be able to replicate Jokić's success as an offensive hub, while Şengün is surprisingly much quicker than Hansen. The latter presents an issue for Portland down the road, as it's already apparent that Hansen and Donovan Clingan can't effectively play alongside each other for extended stretches. That could become a roadblock for Hansen's development, as he likely won't see significant minutes spelling Clingan, who has already proven he's ready for an increased role this season due to his improved conditioning.
Hansen will likely receive a lessened role and minutes relative to other prospects selected around his range. Because of that, expectations for his rookie season should be tempered. At the same time, he's also quickly become must-watch TV. Both things can be true, as there's an undeniable excitement surrounding Hansen's game. You never know what's going to happen next with him on the court, as he has a variety of ways to impact winning.
That's precisely why Hansen could eventually become a star in this league. He's just 20 years old, meaning he has plenty of time to figure out how to adapt to the speed and physicality of the NBA. Once he does, he'll become a matchup nightmare. Similar to Jokić, he could force opponents into a lose-lose scenario. Do you double-team and give up open looks with his elite passing, or do you let him operate in one-on-one with his size and footwork, and risk him taking over the game?
We have to pump the brakes as Hansen is a long way from that being reality. But the fact that there's even a possibility of him becoming the next superstar center should have Blazers fans absolutely thrilled about this pick. Portland desperately needed a star on its roster, and they may have finally found that this summer.