With the No. 16 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, the Memphis Grizzlies (Portland Trail Blazers) select Yang Hansen. And that means Deandre Ayton is officially on the chopping block.
This comes after ESPN's Shams Charania reports that the Blazers traded the Grizzlies the rights to No. 11 overall pick Cedric Coward. In return, Portland will receive pick No. 16 (Yang Hansen), a 2028 first-round pick (via Orlando), and two second-round picks.
Moving on from Deandre Ayton isn't surprising, but this pick absolutely is
This is a shocking twist, to say the least. Yang Hansen was projected in mock drafts to go toward the end of the first round. In retrospect, their trade with the Grizzlies now makes a lot more sense. Portland was confident that Yang would still be available on the board at No. 16 and wanted to maximize as much value as possible while still ensuring they got their guy.
The Blazers reaching for Yang is surprising in more ways than one. Portland now has five centers on its roster: Hansen, Ayton, Donovan Clingan, Robert Williams III, and Duop Reath. But when you look further into Portland's roster, drafting another big makes much more sense.
Not only does general manager Joe Cronin love his centers, but Ayton, Williams, and Reath are all on expiring deals.
Looking at each individual situation one by one, it's hard to make a strong case for any of them to be considered a long-term pairing alongside Clingan. Ayton's two years in Rip City have been largely underwhelming, with the silver lining from that deal being Toumani Camara. Now they are able to wash their hands clean of Ayton.
Robert Williams III has played a total of 26 games in his two seasons with Portland and, unfortunately, can no longer be relied on.
Reath's surprising rookie season was followed up by a sophomore slump, with Chauncey Billups even electing to play Deni Avdija or Jabari Walker at the five instead of him.
Drafting Yang bolsters their size and prepares them for a new era, with him and Clingan anchoring the middle. Now, the biggest question turns to Ayton.
His expiring $35.6 million deal is the perfect amount to serve as a salary filler for Portland to try and land a star. An aggressive trade like that has become much more likely after two surprising moves -- their trade for Jrue Holiday and their selection of Hansen.