The Portland Trail Blazers have made a few key moves in what is shaping to be an extremely surprising offseason. Whether it was the trade for Jrue Holiday, the selection of Yang Hansen, or the signing of Damian Lillard, each addition (other than Blake Wesley) had potentially franchise-altering implications.
Each move served a unique purpose for Portland as well. By adding Holiday, the Blazers doubled down on their defensive identity and made a win-now move to make a legitimate push at a play-in spot.
Blazers' most important addition was Yang Hansen
Lillard's exciting Blazers reunion made perfect sense for both parties. Between his contracts with the Bucks and Blazers, Dame is set to make $70 million in a season he likely won't even play. He gets to rehab his torn Achilles close to family, and eventually returns to a Blazers roster that is much better equipped to complement his game than the one he left. Meanwhile, Portland gets a buy-low opportunity, signing a superstar to a three-year, $42 million deal in hopes that he returns close to the player he once was.
However, the reality for Portland is that the additions of these aging (and injured) stars won't drastically alter their outlook, as evidenced by their 33.5 win total projection for next season. As talented as they are, Holiday and Lillard don't align with the Blazers' rebuilding timeline. The Holiday trade in particular was a bet on the Blazers' young core being ready to take that next step, but they are still years away from being contenders in the loaded Western Conference.
From that standpoint, their most important move this summer was their draft selection. Fortunately for the Blazers' long-term outlook, it's the steal of the entire offseason.
Yang Hansen has a franchise-altering ceiling
The surprising decision to trade back with the Memphis Grizzlies and select Hansen -- a projected second-round prospect -- with the No. 16 overall pick was the most unconventional pick of the entire draft. Labeling it "unconventional," as Blazers general manager Joe Cronin called it, seems more accurate than a "reach," especially since Hansen has already proven worthy of the pick with his play in summer league.
Yes, that's a small sample size and an entirely different level of competition compared to meaningful NBA games. Hansen still needs to prove himself in that sense. But he's already justified the No. 16 overall selection in terms of showcasing the star ceiling that justifies the gamble -- one that we believe will pay off handsomely (pun intended).
Look at the association's two best players, Nikola Jokic and Giannis Antetokounmpo. Jokic was Denver's No. 41 overall pick in 2014, infamously being selected during a Taco Bell commercial. Giannis' situation differed as the Bucks' No. 15 overall pick in 2013. However, his draft profile was closer to Hansen's as he became a mid-first-round pick based mainly on potential.
As a rookie, Giannis averaged 6.8 points and 4.4 rebounds. It wouldn't be surprising if Hansen had similar lackluster numbers as a rookie playing behind Donovan Clingan. And while it's far-fetched even to compare Hansen to these one-of-one superstars, there's at least a possibility the Blazers landed the next version of this in terms of the Giannis draft-day flier and Jokic's path to stardom.
Hansen has the size, footwork, improving shot, and most importantly, passing and basketball IQ to give himself a puncher's chance at eventually becoming this for Portland. Most likely, he's just a fraction of the player these Hall of Fame talents are. But even if the Blazers landed a knockoff version of Jokic, that's still good enough to be a franchise-altering steal -- and the biggest one of the summer.