{"id":147044,"date":"2025-06-26T10:17:11","date_gmt":"2025-06-26T14:17:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=147044"},"modified":"2025-06-26T10:17:11","modified_gmt":"2025-06-26T14:17:11","slug":"trail-blazers-yang-hansen-chinese-jokic-draft-pick","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/06\/26\/trail-blazers-yang-hansen-chinese-jokic-draft-pick\/","title":{"rendered":"The Trail Blazers Gamble On Stunning ‘Chinese Jokic’ Draft Pick"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Trail Blazers made a trade during the NBA Draft to drop from #11 to make a surprising #16 pick. With that selection, the Blazers’ draft pick was Yang Hansen<\/a>, who some people dub as the Chinese Jokic. Ahead of the 2025 NBA Draft, fans of the Portland Trail Blazers expected a rotational player from their #11 pick<\/a>. The front office had different plans because they traded the pick to the Memphis Grizzlies for a decent package.<\/p>\n

The Blazers received a 2028 first-round pick, two future second-round picks, and the #16 pick of the 2025 draft. It was a decent trade, considering they got two first-round picks from it. However, the Blazers shocked the world when they selected Yang Hansen with the #16 pick. Despite people seeing him as the “Chinese Jokic,” it was one of the most surprising moves of the NBA Draft.\u00a0 Across mock drafts, he was a late first-round pick at best, but most had him going in the second round. It was a reach, but Blazers GM Joe Cronin feels it’s an awesome selection.<\/p>\n

The Trail Blazers Gamble on Stunning ‘Chinese Jokic’ Draft Pick<\/h2>\n
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Jun 25, 2025; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Yang Hansen walks to the stage after being selected as the 16th pick by the Memphis Grizzlies in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Pumping the Brakes on the “Chinese Jokic” Comparisons<\/h3>\n

It was surprising that Portland pulled off a pick like this, considering they are usually standard with their picks. The selection was the result of two years of effort by assistant GM Mike Schmitz. He scouted Yang in 2023, and the Blazers have been ready to get him since.<\/p>\n

Hansen is a versatile big man<\/a> who stands at 7-foot-2. He defends at a high level, as proven by his CBA Defensive Player of the Year award. At the same time, he is a high-level passer, which is a huge positive for a big man.<\/p>\n

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Hold on Blazers lowkey drafted Chinese Jokic pic.twitter.com\/PBJuTflNjf<\/a><\/p>\n

— June (@HoodieBrunson) June 26, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n