The Portland Trail Blazers have assigned rookie Yang Hansen to their G League affiliate, the Rip City Remix. Hansen has previously practiced with the Remix, but things are different this time around as he's set to play in their next two games on the road.
As a result, Hansen will miss the Blazers' upcoming games against the Houston Rockets (Friday, November 14) and Dallas Mavericks (Sunday, November 16). The Blazers have been shorthanded due to injuries, but this should still not affect their rotations, considering Hansen has recorded six consecutive DNP - coach's decision.
Yang Hansen heads to Rip City Remix after falling out of Blazers' rotation
The Blazers heavily scouted Hansen for two years and were clearly intrigued by his unique skill set, trading back to select him with the No. 16 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. It was a surprising decision as not only was Hansen a universally projected second-round prospect, but Portland also already had its center position solidified -- most notably with the No. 7 overall selection of Donovan Clingan just one year prior.
Many viewed Hansen to be a project, as his second-round projection was primarily due to concerns surrounding how his game would translate from the CBA to the faster NBA. However, following the selection, the Blazers, and specifically Chauncey Billups, emphasized that they didn't view it that way.
"We'd feel comfortable putting him in a game right now," Billups said. "He's that good. I don't see this as a project-type of situation. But it's a crowded room."
Hansen saw five minutes in Portland's season opener against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Of course, that was the only game Billups has coached this season, as he was shockingly placed on immediate leave following federal indictments.
Billups and interim head coach Tiago Splitter, a former center himself, seem to have differing visions for Hansen's rookie season and his ability to make an immediate impact on Portland's roster.
"I understand there are a lot of expectations," Splitter said when asked what the plan was for Hansen. "For now, he's going to keep working out, getting better, getting in NBA shape, the speed and all that... we just have to be patient with him. Right now, I don't want to put him there in the fire. We just have to be careful there."
Many expected Hansen to be the immediate backup spelling Clingan this season, but a healthy Robert Williams III, Duop Reath, and even small-ball lineups have now passed him in the depth chart. Given Portland's crowded frontcourt and Splitter's patient approach with his development, this G League assignment makes perfect sense.
At 20 years old, Hansen still has a promising career ahead of him, and the Remix will provide him with the reps he's been missing while he continues to adjust to the speed of the NBA.