The 2025 NBA draft concluded on Thursday with 59 of the game’s most exciting young prospects drafted to NBA teams. There was plenty to talk about after an eventful few days that included big-name selections, late trades, and some surprising picks that few people saw coming.
With the draft now behind us, it is only natural that we move on to the grading phase of the process. Some teams definitely pivoted in the right direction, with the Atlanta Hawks, Orlando Magic, and Philadelphia 76ers all receiving high praise for their bold and decisive moves.
While it is tough to foresee which picks will hit and which won’t, some teams chose peculiar routes that left many experts and analysts baffled. The Portland Trail Blazers were one of those franchises. For the second straight year, Portland selected a seven-footer to fortify its frontcourt. It was a strange choice considering it was the Trail Blazers’ only pick in this year’s draft, and that they now have four established centers on the roster.
Blazers Stun the Basketball World After Selecting Chinese Center With First-Round Pick
It is safe to assume that many basketball aficionados (outside of China, that is) didn’t know much about Yang Hansen before Thursday’s draft. Most mock drafts had the 7’1″ Chinese center dropping into the second round, but the Trail Blazers’ evaluation of the player showed something different.
Portland selected Yang with the 16th pick in the 2025 NBA draft. It would turn out to be the organization’s only pick over the two-day draft process.
PFSN’s Cam Mellor broke down each team’s draft grades and believes Portland may regret pursuing Yang, who, at just 20 years old, remains raw and unproven. Mellor handed the Trail Blazers the lowest grade of any in this year’s draft (tied with the New York Knicks), giving them a D+.
“The Portland Trail Blazers needed to strengthen their frontcourt, but this pick is quite surprising, as there were more polished big men available before Portland took Yang Hansen,” said Mellor.
Hansen Yang’s 5v5 Draft Combine highlights!@trailblazers l #RipCity pic.twitter.com/VH4hOQrwSi
— 𝐁𝐥𝐚𝐳𝐞𝐫 𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐡𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐚𝐬𝐭 (@BlazeEnthusiast) June 27, 2025
With DeAndre Ayton, Robert Williams III, and Donovan John Clingan, Portland already has three established centers on the roster. All three of those players were first-round picks, with Ayton being selected as the No. 1 overall pick in 2018, Williams picked up with the 27th pick in the 2018 draft, and Clingan selected as the seventh pick in last year’s draft.
“This pick feels like a long-term upside bet,” added Mellor.
Hansen dominated the Chinese league (CBA) over the last couple of seasons, earning two All-Star appearances and being named the league’s Defensive Player of the Year in 2024.
He is solid in the post with sound footwork, and his size should allow him to contribute on the defensive front. Still, it remains to be seen whether Yang’s game can translate in the highly competitive NBA.
Chauncey Billups’ team had a strong second half to the 2024-25 season, finishing with a 23-18 record after starting 13-28. The team is still young and has plenty of room to grow. However, after trading their top scorer, Anfernee Simons, to the Boston Celtics last week, Portland may have been wise to use their first-round selection on a more NBA-ready player.
