“A Nuggets source just texted me: “Chinese Jokic,” about the Blazers’ surprise selection,” Jake Fischer explained on X about the potential of CBA star, Yang Hansen. Many predicted the 20-year-old to be a second-round pick. In fact, he was even sitting in the stands with the crowd as his name was called up by Commissioner Adam Silver much earlier than expected. The Memphis Grizzlies selected the 7-ft-2 star at No. 16, but traded him to the Portland Trail Blazers. The shock pick of the night so far.

At 7′2″ with a 9-foot-3 wingspan, a reliable midrange and three-point stroke, Yang Hansen averaged 15.8 points, 10.7 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 2.4 blocks during his two seasons in the CBA. Plus, he is an efficient shooter with 58.6% from the field and even drilling 33% from beyond the arc in 2024-25. Not to mention, he recently had a strong showing at the Draft combine and had a pre-draft workout at Chase Center.

That’s why teams like the Lakers and the Warriors, who wanted a rim protector, will be sulking. But what about the Trail Blazers? It comes across as a risky and unexpected decision on their end and also reminds us about the day when the Cavaliers selected Anthony Bennett first overall in the 2013 draft. No wonder, reporter Brett Siegel took to X and shared:

“On the Hansen Yang pick at 16 for Portland, this is what one NBA front-office member had to say: ‘That is the wildest pick I’ve ever seen. Those jobs up there are on the line.'”

The Lakers have the 55th pick this year, and the Warriors have the 41st pick in the draft. There were rumors about both teams trading up to acquire the CBA star. No one really would have guessed Portland’s move. But what really are the Blazers planning? Do they intend to trade him? Well, if that’s what you have been wondering, then another update from Fischer might help to squash that notion: “There’s no trade here, either. The Blazers are keeping Yang, per source.”

After canceling the trade with Mark Williams, the Lakers hoped to find a solution in the draft, but it’s not Yang Hansen. Similarly, ESPN’s Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo even had him pegged as Golden State’s pick in their latest mocks. But with both teams at a loss now, their fans took to social media to share their frustrations.

Yang Hansen’s draft unites Warriors and Lakers in pain!

Last year, the Purple & Gold grabbed headlines as their #55 pick was none other than Bronny James. This year, too, they have the same late second-round pick (55) and wanted to solve a huge problem. In February, Rob Pelinka thought of adding Mark Williams, which almost came to fruition until the failed medical. And so, the Lakers’ next lethal big man search is still ongoing. Some fans think playing Dorian Finney-Smith is not a long-term option. “Hansen Yang at 16… DFS at the 5 it is.”

Another fan mentioned: “I thought the Lakers had a chance at Hansen Yang if they traded into the second round but 16 is crazy 😭😭😭.”

In fact, ESPN’s Bobby Marks shared an idea of how the Lakers could make an aggressive deal in order to trade up earlier this week. It involved two other teams in the Blazers and the Nets. In this scenario, the LA would likely part ways with young guard Dalton Knecht and a 2031 unprotected first-round pick to land the No. 8 and No. 36 picks in the 2025 NBA Draft and perhaps move towards their future with someone like Khaman Maluach. Here’s how a potential three-way trade would have looked like:

Brooklyn Nets Receive: No. 11 pick (via Blazers), 2031 unprotected first (via Lakers)
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: No. 8 pick (via Nets), No. 36 pick (via Nets)
Portland Trail Blazers Receive: Dalton Knecht, 2027 first-round pick (Top 4 protected, via Knicks)

However, on Reddit, the CBA star’s highlights had captivated basketball fans. The Lakers subreddit has been pretty much buzzing since May. But the frustration of not drafting him frustrated them. “My Lakers need Yang Hansen.” In fact, the first Chinese superstar to ever get selected in the NBA, Yao Ming, was happy to see Yang Hansen become so popular. The Rockets legend even asked Dwyane Wade to offer some advice to the budding star.

The disappointment is not only with the Lakers fanbase, but it has reached Golden State as well. GSWL page on X reported two days ago that “The Warriors conducted a pre-draft interview with Hansen Yang.” So, it seemed they were ready to cash in with their 41st pick, but it was the Blazers that ultimately won the rights. That’s why there was another update from the X account suggesting that the plans for the Dub Nation have changed severely. “Hansen Yang was projected for the beginning of the second round and ended up being selected 16th in the first. He’s probably shaken up the Warriors’ draft board. Yang was projected to be the fifth-best center in the draft.”

Let’s not forget that even GM Mike Dunleavy Jr. said, “Is there a possibility we could move into the first round? Sure. I wouldn’t put it as highly likely, but you never know.” With Yang Hansen’s sheer size, with the footwork and coordination of a guard. He’s not just big; he’s agile and unusually skilled for his frame. That’s why a fan commented. “Yang Hansen you were supposed to be a warrior.” But the 19YO is not a Warrior nor a Laker. He is now a Trail Blazer!