Yang Hansen’s Slow Start Adds New Layer of Complexity to Blazers’ Frontcourt Puzzle
The Portland Trail Blazers knew they were taking a big swing when they selected Yang Hansen in the 2025 NBA Draft. A 20-year-old with raw tools and undeniable upside, Hansen represented the kind of high-ceiling gamble that rebuilding teams often make. But halfway through the season, the early returns haven’t exactly inspired confidence.
Let’s be clear - development in the NBA isn’t linear, and Hansen still has time to figure things out. But right now, Portland is feeling the squeeze.
They’ve used back-to-back first-round picks on centers, and yet, they’re still searching for reliable frontcourt answers. That’s not the kind of position any team wants to be in with the trade deadline just three weeks away.
A Frontcourt in Flux
The Blazers’ frontcourt rotation is a jigsaw puzzle with too many missing pieces and a few that don’t quite fit. Robert Williams III is the most prominent name on the trade block.
He’s been solid when healthy, but that’s always the caveat with him - when healthy. With his contract expiring and his injury history well-documented, Portland is reportedly more open to moving him this year than they were last season.
And if Williams is on the way out, the Blazers have to ask: who’s next in line?
Duop Reath was a feel-good story during his rookie campaign, but his minutes have evaporated under head coach Tiago Splitter. He’s slipped out of the rotation entirely, and his future in Portland looks uncertain at best.
Jerami Grant, meanwhile, has bounced back in a big way this season. That surge in production could make him a prime “sell-high” candidate, especially with his sizable contract and the team’s long-term cap sheet in mind.
Trading Grant could also open the door to a potential extension for Deni Avdija - a player the Blazers view as part of their future core. But again, that move only makes sense if the team feels confident in their frontcourt depth. That’s where Hansen’s slow start really starts to complicate things.
Hansen’s Fit - and the Bigger Picture
The idea behind drafting Hansen was clear: pair him with Donovan Clingan and build a young, imposing frontcourt duo. But both players share similar limitations, particularly when it comes to defending in space. In today’s NBA, where bigs are increasingly asked to switch, hedge, and recover on the perimeter, having two centers who struggle in that area creates real challenges.
Robert Williams has been the one guy in that group who offers some versatility - he can cover ground defensively and protect the rim without being a liability in space. But again, his long-term availability is a question mark, and he’s not under contract beyond this season.
That leaves Portland in a tough spot. They’d hoped Hansen could at least step in as a reliable backup to Clingan, allowing the team to move off Williams, explore the trade market for Grant, and maybe even recoup some value for Reath before he hits free agency. But Hansen hasn’t shown enough yet to make that a realistic plan.
The Cost of a Miss
Missing on a mid-first-round pick isn’t a franchise-crippling mistake. But for a team like the Blazers - coming off a 36-win season and still in the thick of a rebuild - every draft pick matters.
Fans have been patient, watching the team take the long view, but it’s fair to expect more clarity by now. Instead, Portland is left with a logjam of question marks in the frontcourt and a deadline approaching fast.
There’s still time for Hansen to turn things around. The tools are there.
But right now, his slow start is more than just a developmental hiccup - it’s a real obstacle in the Blazers’ roster-building process. And with key decisions looming, Portland’s front office will need to navigate these next few weeks carefully.
Because in a league that doesn’t wait for anyone, the clock is already ticking.