The Trail Blazers Gamble On Stunning ‘Chinese Jokic’ Draft Pick

Pumping the Brakes on the “Chinese Jokic” Comparisons

It was surprising that Portland pulled off a pick like this, considering they are usually standard with their picks. The selection was the result of two years of effort by assistant GM Mike Schmitz. He scouted Yang in 2023, and the Blazers have been ready to get him since.

Hansen is a versatile big man who stands at 7-foot-2. He defends at a high level, as proven by his CBA Defensive Player of the Year award. At the same time, he is a high-level passer, which is a huge positive for a big man.

That has helped him earn the moniker of “Chinese Jokic”, which alludes to three-time MVP Nikola Jokic. It is a huge comparison, but Cronin wants people to pump the brakes because they are different players. There is a significant gap between a raw prospect and a player who has virtually no weaknesses.

“Nobody’s Jokic. That’s a tough one. But, as far as his ability to pass the ball, there aren’t many at his size that can do it like he does,” Cronin said in his post-draft presser.

Yang Felt Surprised By His Selection At  #16

The Blazers’ draft immediately drew everyone’s attention because Yang was not a popular name. The NBA community was not alone when they saw Yang Hansen picked at #16.  The 20-year-old center also felt surprised when the Blazers selected him.

“I was expecting to be selected at the end of the first round. So, this is definitely a big surprise for me to be selected in the middle of the first round,” Yang said to the media through his interpreter. “The Blazers had scouts in China the last couple of years. I also had a pre-workout with them last month. Everything went very well, and I got along with all of the front-office people. But at the end of the day, this is sort of beyond my wildest imagination.”

The Blazers See Yang As A Long-Term Contributor

Despite selecting potential franchise center Donovan Clingan in 2024, the Blazers selected Yang. It is a puzzling decision, as Clingan is not the only center in Portland. The Blazers still have Deandre Ayton, Robert Williams III, and Duop Reath on the roster.

The Yang pick means one of those players is a trade candidate. They would not want to enter the 2025-26 season with five centers in the rotation. Many teams would love Williams, while Ayton is an appealing target as he enters the final year of his contract. A rotation of Clingan, Yang, and Reath as the third-string center is decent. It is a commitment to the team’s long-term future, as they still have untapped potential. Head coach Chauncey Billups would probably love Yang because he is a positive defender.

The offensive upside is also huge for Yang Hansen because he is a willing passer and a potential pick-and-roll partner. Scoot Henderson is still developing, but he is a strong playmaker. With his passing and potential as a scorer, it is easy to see the promise. He is not the Chinese Jokic, but it is encouraging.