With the No.16 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, the Portland Trail Blazers (Memphis Grizzlies) selected... Yang Hansen!? That was easily the most shocking pick of this year's draft and one of the biggest surprises in recent memory.
Time will tell whether Joe Cronin and Co. are geniuses or fools for this draft surprise. But before we see Yang take the court in a Blazers jersey, Portland's roster still has work to be done. The obvious problem they must address this offseason is their lack of shooting.
The Blazers have been one of the worst three-point shooting teams in the past two seasons, which is an issue that has only been compounded after swapping Anfernee Simons for Jrue Holiday. It's something they need to fix regardless of how Hansen pans out. But if this unconventional experiment works and he becomes an offensive hub, that floor spacing will be even more essential.
How can Portland maximize its 'Chinese Jokic' experiment?
This type of pick puts jobs on the line, especially with new ownership looming. And honestly, we respect the gamble. The fact that a Nuggets source told Jake Fischer that the Blazers landed the "Chinese Jokic" should at least give the fanbase some sense of optimism about the reach.
Jokic is a one-of-one exceptional talent and the best player in the world for a reason, but Hansen does at least fit the archetype of a Jokic or a taller Alperen Sengun. Once he gets stronger, Hansen has the potential to become a threat in the post, as he already has the footwork to thrive. But our favorite aspect of his game is his passing.
The reads he makes -- his ability to process the game and anticipate plays -- are truly elite for a big man. It's similar to why we wouldn't have minded the Blazers taking Derik Queen at No. 11, with the idea being that Portland can add a hub to run the offense through.
In a previous mock draft, The Ringer's J. Kyle Mann wrote this about the Blazers' predicted selection:
"Since Portland pivoted away from the Dame era, I've been fairly obsessed with the idea of adding ball-skill connectivity between the stable of fly-around athletes that the front office has accrued."
He had Portland taking Danny Wolf, which we thought was too much of a reach. But credit to Mann -- he missed the specific player but nailed the strategy. Portland reached even further for a uniquely skilled big man with the vision of having him eventually become a hub.
There are red flags with this pick that we can't ignore. There's a reason that Yang was widely viewed as a late first-round prospect at best. Defensively, he could be a massive liability out on the perimeter. Offensively, he could have a rough transition from the CBA to the athleticism and physicality of the NBA.
It's very possible this pick doesn't pan out. It could make the Blazers the laughingstock of the league. Conversely, their unconventional pick could finally give Portland that go-to star they desperately need to contend in the loaded Western Conference.
The Blazers believe it's a positive outcome; otherwise, they wouldn't have taken the gamble. And if Yang turns out to be even a fraction of the player Jokic is, they need to be prepared to structure their roster around his strengths and utilize him as a hub.
They already have the athleticism in place, but adding floor spacing is the final missing piece to make this formula crazy enough to work.