Blazers stun NBA world with 7-foot-1 Chinese star after trade
The post Blazers stun NBA world with 7-foot-1 Chinese star after trade appeared first on ClutchPoints.
After barely missing the play-in tournament with a 36-46 record, the Portland Trail Blazers were rewarded with another lottery pick, nabbing the 11th overall pick of the 2025 NBA Draft. They then decided to trade out of the lottery altogether, dealing away that selection to the Memphis Grizzlies for the 16th pick, a 2028 first-round pick, and two second-rounders. And then in a shocking turn of events, the Blazers, despite already having four centers on the roster, decided to select 7'1″ Chinese star Hansen Yang with the pick they got from the Grizzlies.
Advertisement
Yang tore up the Chinese Basketball Association in his two seasons in the league. He averaged 15.8 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks while shooting 56.9 percent from the field, and at just 20 years of age, he certainly had his merits as a draft prospect. Alas, no talent evaluator had him going off the board in the first round, making the Blazers' selection of him at pick 16 that big of a shock.
In fact, one front office executive for an unnamed team texted ClutchPoints NBA insider Brett Siegel that the Blazers' pick of Yang is the 'wildest' he's ever seen and that pick alone should put the jobs of the executives responsible for the selection 'on the line'.
It's not quite clear what the Blazers aim to achieve with the selection of Yang, and this early as well. It would have been a confounding pick already had they made it in the second round, considering how many centers they already have on the roster. But for them to use a first-round pick in the middle of the first round to select someone they could have drafted 20 picks later has the entire NBA world up in arms.
Fans clown the Blazers for their confounding Hansen Yang selection
© Brad Penner-Imagn Images
In three years, the Blazers may have the last laugh regarding their confusing Yang selection. But for now, they have become the butt of the joke among NBA fans who couldn't comprehend why they would make this pick.
Advertisement
'Blazers got 3 Centers now what are they doing 😭 Ayton Clingan and Yang,' X user @EdeyMuse wrote.
'The Blazers won a couple extra games in the second half of the season… for a Yang Hansen. Let that sink in,' @JoeFisch3 added.
'Drafting Hansen Yang at 16th just solved NBA's low viewership problem,' @zyjohnw posted in jest.
Yang is a Klutch Sports client, and perhaps that played a part in him being drafted way earlier than nearly everyone expected.
'Klutch sports got Hansen Yang drafted top 16,' @MVPnuby asserted.
'Klutch made Hansen Yang more than 10 million dollars by getting him picked 16th,' @mrcmon added.
Related: Jake Fischer reveals 'Chinese Jokic' comp from Nuggets for surprise Blazers pick
Related: Grizzlies land rising star Cedric Coward in No. 11 pick trade with Blazers
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
5 NBA Players Who Could Be Traded This Summer
May 3, 2022; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) drives to the basket past Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) in the first half during game two of the second round for the 2022 NBA playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports May 3, 2022; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) drives to the basket past Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) in the first half during game two of the second round for the 2022 NBA playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports With the 2025 NBA season behind us, the trade market has already exploded with big names like Kevin Durant and Jrue Holiday heading to new teams. Here are 5 big-time players who could be next in line to hit the trade block. Check Out: 50 Best NBA players right now 1. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images The best player left on the trade market by far, trade rumors about the 30-year-old, two-time MVP have been circulating for a while. Given the Milwaukee Bucks' lack of a legitimate young core and recent playoff underperformances, it's becoming increasingly likely that Giannis will want in on a team that's more competitive for a championship push. Advertisement Related: Top NBA free agents 2025: Top 20 NBA free agency rankings, NBA free agents this summer 2. Lauri Markkanen – Jazz Credit: Chris Nicoll-Imagn Images The Utah Jazz are rebuilding, and after another disappointing lottery result, they are nowhere near ready to compete for playoff contention. If the Jazz want to offload Markkanen's expensive contract and give the lottery one last try for a top-four pick, they should trade Lauri. 3. Trae Young – Hawks Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images Trae Young's contract runs through the 2026 season, and he will be eligible for a contract extension this offseason, but not a supermax extension. If he decides to hold out until free agency, there is a good chance the Atlanta Hawks may trade the 26-year-old star. 4. Jaren Jackson Jr. – Grizzlies Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images Jackson Jr. is in the same situation as Young. With the end of his contract in sight, he could easily sign an extension with the Memphis Grizzlies. But that's only if Jaren wants to stay in Memphis. He just as easily can hold out and force the Grizzlies to trade him. Advertisement Also Read: NBA insider explains why Sacramento Kings traded Tyrese Haliburton to Indiana Pacers instead of De'Aaron Fox 5. Jaylen Brown – Celtics Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images The Boston Celtics have already traded two significant contributors to their 2024 NBA Championship in Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis. It would be foolish to think Brown isn't also on the table, as given Boston's immense payroll, two supermax contracts with Brown and Tatum just aren't sustainable. Also Read: Top Golden State Warriors rival targeting Jonathan Kuminga in NBA free agency Related Headlines
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
What dodging second apron means for Boston Celtics trade possibilities
The Celtics made a big first step in their offseason on Tuesday, dipping below the second apron threshold ($207 million) by trimming roughly $24 million from their payroll with the trades of Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday. There are many more moves to come for the Celtics this offseason, league sources tell MassLive as Boston looks to retool its roster for the future following Jayson Tatum's torn Achilles. However, Brad Stevens' prompt work of dumping money ahead of the NBA Draft now opens more doors for the franchise heading into the heart of the NBA offseason. So what exactly does getting under the second apron do for the Celtics when it comes to future trade and free agent possibilities? Let's examine where the roster is at and the benefits it provides for future dealing. Advertisement CELTICS 2025-26 ROSTER Jayson Tatum: $54.1 million Jaylen Brown: $53.1 million Derrick White: $28.1 million Anfernee Simons: $27.6 million Sam Hauser: $10 million Georges Niang: $8.2 million Payton Pritchard: $7.2 million Baylor Scheierman: $2.6 million Xavier Tillman: $2.5 million Neemias Queta: $2.3 million Jordan Walsh: $2.2 million (non-guaranteed) No. 28 pick: $2.5 million JD Davison: $2.2 million (team option) Total: $203 million to 13 players THINGS CELTICS CAN NOW DO BY GETTING UNDER SECOND APRON THRESHOLD Aggregate (combine) salaries in a trade: This is a simple but significant tool. Before, Boston could only send out one player at a time in a trade. Now, Boston can ship out multiple players in a deal simultaneously. Advertisement Send out cash in a trade: NBA teams are permitted to send up to $7.2 million in a trade during a season if they are below the second apron. This can become a valuable sweetener to convince a team to take on an unwanted contract. The Celtics did not have access to use this money at all in trades last season. Now, it's a weapon at their disposal again for deals in 2025. Access to 2033 first-round pick to trade: The Celtics will have to wait a couple of years (and stay under the second apron) to have access to trade their 2032 first-round pick after staying above the second apron last year. However, their 2033 first round pick has been unfrozen by dipping under the second apron now. RESTRICTIONS CELTICS STILL FACE WHILE ABOVE FIRST APRON ($195 MILLION) Access to smaller taxpayer mid-level exception ($5.7 million): The Celtics' usage of this MLE would trigger a hard cap at the second apron ($207 million). Given where Boston is with their repeater tax penalties, it would be surprising to see Boston use the MLE this offseason since getting under the tax line entirely could be a priority. Advertisement Can't take back more than 100 percent of salary sent out in trade: This is a simple restriction that was also in place for all second apron teams. Essentially, Boston can't send out a $30 million dollar player and take back one making $31 million. The salary matching rules get much easier to manage if the Celtics drop below the first apron ($195 million), which would require trimming another $8 million in salary. Can't use traded player exceptions (yet): The Celtics have created a pretty big TPE ($22 million) in the Kristaps Porzingis trade but don't have access to it if their payroll stays this high. That changes if they drop under the first apron. Final thoughts The Celtics' initial moves trimmed roughly $260 million in payroll and luxury tax penalties for the 2025-26 season. However, Boston is still facing a sizable tax bill ($68 million) with their current roster and has basketball incentives to keep trimming the payroll as well in order to open the door for more flexibility and team building tools moving forward. Advertisement Getting below the first apron ($195 million) is a logical next step for Boston and it would not be surprising at all to see Boston give themselves the option to get under the luxury tax threshold entirely ($187 million) for the 2025-26 season. More Celtics content Read the original article on MassLive.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Where Celtics roster stands after Kristaps Porzingis, Jrue Holiday trades
The Celtics made their first two big trades of the offseason, shipping out Jrue Holiday to the Blazers then Kristaps Porzingis to the Hawks in a three-team trade. The C's were long expected to shed salary this offseason as the front office did just that in anticipation of the 2025 NBA Draft. While the Holiday deal saved some money, the Porzingis deal slashed the payroll significantly. The Celtics are now under the second apron of the salary cap by $4 million, though they're still $16 million above the luxury tax line. So, further trades could be on the horizon, though the C's have already cut costs. Advertisement In return of the two trades, the Celtics got an interesting, talented guard in Anfernee Simons from the Blazers. They also acquired veteran forward and local product Georges Niang from the Hawks in the three-team deal. From a pure talent perspective, C's fans are seeing massive changes. Now, let's look at the Celtics roster after these first two trades: Guards: Derrick White, Anfernee Simons, Payton Pritchard, JD Davison (team option) Wings: Jayson Tatum (injured, Achilles), Jaylen Brown, Sam Hauser, Georges Niang, Baylor Scheierman, Jordan Walsh (non-guaranteed) Bigs: Xavier Tillman, Neemias Queta Advertisement Immediately, it'll be interesting to see what the Celtics do when it comes to their bigs. Luke Kornet and Al Horford are both free agents, and after the Porzingis trade, that spot is looking bare at this point. Perhaps the Celtics trade enough that they can afford to keep their free agents, but that's a question mark currently. The fit at the guard spots also feels clunky for now. Holiday brought a lot of defensive versatility, though his offensive game took a step back this past season. Simons is not a great defender and is on the smaller size at 6-foot-3. Considering the Celtics already have a smaller, offensive-minded guard in Payton Pritchard, how that shakes out will be worth monitoring. White is slotted in as a starting piece regardless. Of course, Tatum will be out for the upcoming season due to his ruptured Achilles tendon. As of now, it's still shaping up to be Brown's team going into next year. Guys like Scheierman and Walsh could also be counted on to absorb more rotation minutes next season considering the state of the roster. If there is one area Celtics fans can look at positively with the new additions, it's the shooting. Simons is a career 38.1% 3-point shooter while Niang is at 39.9% over the course of his career. Considering how the Celtics play, that's at least a positive sign even if it's not an end-all, be-all statistic. Advertisement Notably, both Simons ($27.7 million) and Niang ($8.2 million) are on expiring contracts. So that gives the C's some flexibility going forward as they were able to slash payroll. Holiday still had three years and $104 million left on his deal while Porzingis was also on an expiring contract that was worth $30.7 million. The Celtics have the No. 28 and No. 32 picks in the upcoming 2025 NBA Draft, so they could draft guys to the roster. There have also been reports that they could trade up in the draft. The Celtics likely aren't done adding to their roster, though they have accomplished their primary goal of cutting costs in the short- and long-term. More Celtics content Read the original article on MassLive.
