The Portland Trail Blazers didn't view Yang Hansen as a project-type prospect after they selected him. While their unconventional No. 16 overall selection is justified due to Hansen's tantalizing ceiling, it's also apparent that they took on more of a long-term project than they initially believed.
The Blazers recently announced that they assigned Hansen to the Rip City Remix, their G League affiliate, for scheduled practices. Sean Highkin of The Rose Garden Report adds that this move is practice-related and will not have any effect on the Blazers' next game, as Hansen is expected to be back Monday when they take on the Los Angeles Lakers.
Yang Hansen is struggling to crack the Blazers' rotation
In five games played, Hansen has averaged just 5.8 minutes, 1.8 points, 0.8 rebounds, and 0.4 blocks. He most recently recorded a "DNP - coach's decision" in Portland's thrilling NBA Cup win over the Denver Nuggets. Interim head coach Tiago Splitter prioritized Robert Williams III, who played 11 minutes in his first game back from injury. Hansen was even behind Duop Reath on the depth chart in this contest, as the Australian stretch-five saw seven minutes. Not to mention, Splitter has also gone with variations of small-ball lineups since taking over as head coach, which have further limited Hansen's opportunities.
When Williams was on the court, it was clear that he was the more impactful two-way player than Hansen, at least at this stage in their respective careers. Still, Williams isn't expected to play in back-to-back games due to his injury history, meaning Hansen should still have opportunities to earn Splitter's trust and a more consistent spot in the rotation as the season goes on.
It's great that he's getting increased reps with the Remix, because Hansen remains far from a finished product. Given their immediate expectations, the Blazers have to be at least somewhat concerned about the extent to which Hansen has failed to make an impact early on. There's a reason he was a widely projected second-round pick, and those weaknesses as a prospect have been exposed so far at the NBA level.
We have to give Hansen the benefit of the doubt as he continues to adjust to life in the NBA and the United States, as there are inevitably going to be growing pains. But given how well he played in the summer league and preseason, it's been disappointing that Portland's rookie is trending in the wrong direction as he continues to slide down the depth chart in a diminishing role.
He has plenty of time to right the ship in his promising young career, but Blazers fans must remain patient as Hansen appears to be years away from making a significant impact.