Yang Hansen’s NBA Adjustment: Why the G League Is the Right Move for Now
Yang Hansen is showing flashes of the player the Trail Blazers hoped he’d be - just not in the NBA. In the G League, Hansen’s game is popping: the footwork, the touch around the rim, the vision from the high post - it’s all there.
The instincts that made him a standout in the CBA have translated well to the developmental league. But when it comes to NBA minutes?
That transition hasn’t clicked yet.
It’s not unusual for rookies to need time, especially international players adjusting to a new league, a new country, and a completely different pace of play. But with Hansen, the gap between his G League dominance and NBA struggles has been stark.
His feel for the game is still intact, but the speed, strength, and intensity of the NBA have thrown him off rhythm. He’s looked overwhelmed at times - tentative on offense, out of place defensively.
Interim head coach Tiago Splitter has been cautious with Hansen’s minutes, and for good reason. He’s not ready for the nightly grind of NBA matchups, and Splitter’s made it clear he’s not going to put the rookie in situations where he’s set up to fail. That’s a smart approach - one that prioritizes development over optics.
At this point in the season, keeping Hansen in the G League is the right call. He needs reps - real, meaningful minutes where he can play through mistakes, build confidence, and continue adjusting to the North American game.
That’s hard to do when you’re getting spot minutes in blowouts or riding the bench in close games. The G League gives him the runway to grow without the pressure of immediate results.
Yes, it’s a tough pill to swallow considering the expectations. Portland took Hansen 16th overall - a pick that turned heads on draft night.
There was buzz that he could be the primary backup to Donovan Clingan, and early training camp chatter hinted at a bigger role. But development rarely follows a straight line, and Hansen’s path is proving to be a longer one.
That doesn’t mean the Blazers missed. It means they’re playing the long game - and with a 20-year-old big man, that’s exactly what they should be doing.
Meanwhile, the Blazers have found their footing. A recent five-game win streak has them sitting 9th in the Western Conference at 19-22, right in the thick of the play-in race.
With postseason hopes suddenly within reach, Portland can’t afford to give developmental minutes to a player who’s clearly still finding his footing. The margin for error is razor-thin, and every rotation decision matters.
That likely means leaning more on Duop Reath as a stretch five or downsizing with Jerami Grant in small-ball looks. It’s not ideal - the frontcourt depth takes a hit - but it’s a better fit for where this team is right now. Hansen, as talented as he is, just isn’t ready to contribute at that level yet.
The good news? This isn’t a setback - it’s a step.
Hansen’s skill set is still intriguing. His feel for the game, his size, his passing - those tools don’t disappear.
He just needs time to sharpen them against the right level of competition. The G League gives him that space.
So while this rookie season may not be unfolding the way fans - or the front office - envisioned, it’s far from a lost year. Hansen’s journey is just beginning. And if Portland plays it right, the time he’s logging in the G League now could pay major dividends down the road.