Zena Keita, Dave DuFour, and Es Baraheni recently highlighted the summer league standouts on The Athletic NBA Daily podcast. To say that Portland Trail Blazers rookie Yang Hansen received praise would be an understatement.
"There was not a single negative that I could take away from his game. Nothing," said DuFour. "He was directing traffic on both ends, defense and offense. I think when you communicate like that, you clearly understand the game at a different level. He's got feel, and he's got touch."
DuFour then predicted that Donovan Clingan would be Hansen's backup in Portland.
"Donovan Clingan is going to be his backup. Clingan is going to wind up his backup. He's too good. You have to play him to see what you got."
Can Yang Hansen overtake Donovan Clingan in Portland's rotation?
Following Deandre Ayton's buyout, Clingan is projected to be Portland's starting center to begin the 2025-26 season. He had a productive rookie campaign, averaging 6.5 points, 7.9 rebounds, 1.1 assists, and 1.6 blocks, earning All-Rookie Second Team honors.
As a 7-foot-2, 280-pound defensive anchor who prides himself on rebounding and rim protection, Clingan will be an integral piece in Portland's rebuild. His physical tools and nasty streak are a perfect fit for what identity Joe Cronin and Chauncey Billups want. Because of his fit and ability to impact winning without the ball, Clingan is an ideal center to have as a building block.
It would take an exceptional talent to overtake his starting role, whether that's this upcoming season or down the road. From the limited sample size we've seen from Hansen so far, there's certainly a possibility he's it. It may not appear that way, given that Portland invested a No. 7 pick into Clingan and a No. 16 into Hansen, especially since Clingan fell in the draft and Hansen was someone Portland "reached" for. But in the Blazers ' post-draft press conference, Cronin had one quote that stood out:
"We were actually hoping he'd be in last year's draft. He didn't declare last year, so we continued to scout him this past season."
That's particularly telling given how underwhelming last year's draft was considered. You could make a case that there's virtually no difference in value between the No. 7 pick then and the No. 16 pick this summer.
Who ultimately winds up as the Blazers' starting center depends on their performance in more meaningful regular-season games. Still, Hansen's impressive Summer League showing is already forcing discussions that weren't expected to happen for years. Many viewed Hansen as more of a developmental project. But Billups was right; he's ready to contribute right away.