The 2025 NBA Draft has featured a series of interesting moves, with various teams making bold decisions throughout the night. One notable trade involved the Portland Trail Blazers and the Memphis Grizzlies, reshaping the draft landscape.
The Memphis Grizzlies traded the 16th pick in the draft, a 2028 Orlando Magic first-round pick, and two second-round picks to the Trail Blazers in exchange for the 11th overall selection. The Grizzlies used the 11th pick to select Cedric Coward, while the Trail Blazers’ choice at 16 sparked widespread astonishment among NBA fans.
Trail Blazers’ Bold Move Stuns Fans with Yang Hansen Pick
NBA fans were taken aback when the Portland Trail Blazers chose Yang Hansen from China with the 16th pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. The selection stood out due to Yang’s pre-draft projections, which pegged him as a mid-second-round pick, according to a post on X.
Hansen Yang was projected to go in the mid 2nd-round of the draft.
The Blazers just picked him with the No. 16 pick. Wow. pic.twitter.com/ZRicWQ2R1O
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) June 26, 2025
The decision triggered a flood of reactions from fans, many of whom expressed disbelief and confusion. One Trail Blazers supporter voiced frustration online.
Man we are getting laughed at this offseason.
— Austin (@austinsprops) June 26, 2025
“Man we are getting laughed at this offseason,” one Blazers fan stated, reflecting a common sentiment. Another fan questioned the logic behind the pick, citing the team’s recent draft history.
What the hell is this pick?
You literally took Clingan top 5 a year ago.
— College Basketball Report (@CBKReport) June 26, 2025
“What the h*ll is this pick? You literally took Clingan Top 5 a year ago,” another fan commented, highlighting the surprise. A different supporter pointed out the team’s crowded center position.
Such a reach and they have centers wtf
— ooooobk (@FeelLikeOBK) June 26, 2025
“Such a reach and they have centers wtf,” another fan said, echoing concerns about roster depth. One observer suggested a strategic misstep by the Blazers.
This is so stupid if he was projected to go that late blazers could’ve traded down to late first round to take him if they wanted him that badly
— GG45 (@Grizzfan13) June 26, 2025
“This is so stupid if he was projected to go that late Blazers could’ve traded down to late first round to take him if they wanted him that badly,” one fan explained, proposing an alternative approach. Another fan weighed the potential upside against the risk.
Either Hansen Yang is the next Jokic or this might be the biggest reach in NBA history
— Matt (@sixringsofsteeI) June 26, 2025
“Either Hansen Yang is the next Jokic or this might be the biggest reach in NBA history,” another person stated, capturing the high-stakes nature of the decision. Even draft coverage experts seemed unprepared.
Half of the ESPN broadcast has no idea who Hansen Yang is 😭😭😭
— J🐐 (@SixersJustin) June 26, 2025
“Half of the ESPN broadcast has no idea who Hansen Yang is,” they noticed, indicating the pick’s unexpected nature. Fans also raised concerns about the Trail Blazers’ center logjam.
“The Blazers have FOUR centers on their roster: DeAndre Ayton, Donovan Clingan, Rob Williams III, and Hansen Yang. One of them HAS to be traded. Ain’t no way you go into this season with this many bigs,” one fan commented, underscoring the roster challenge.
The selection of Yang has undeniably put the Trail Blazers in the spotlight, though not in the way they might have preferred. Some have dubbed Yang the “Chinese Jokic,” and if he develops even a fraction of Nikola Jokic’s skill, Portland could turn the narrative around in a few years.
For now, the laughter seems to be on the side of NBA fans, who are buzzing about the bold move. The long-term impact of this draft choice remains to be seen.
