US media: Yang Hanson's standout traits have not translated to the NBA stage; keeping him in the G League is the best solution

On January 16th Beijing time, Portland media Rip City Project mentioned Yang Hanson, stating that this first-rounder has created a tough choice for the Trail Blazers and that keeping him in the G League for further growth is the best approach. The following is the relevant excerpt—

Compared to his NBA performance, Yang Hanson appears like a completely different player in the G League. While performance gaps between league tiers are typical, this gap has never been so stark.

When the Trail Blazers originally drafted Yang Hanson, all the qualities they valued were fully displayed on the G League court. His dominance inside, refined footwork, expansive court vision, and excellent basketball IQ were all clearly evident.Although his professional career is just beginning, unfortunately, none of these impressive attributes have successfully transferred to the NBA stage.

His role in the NBA is inherently different, but the core issue is that his style struggles to fit the NBA’s pace, physicality, and level of competition. Interim coach Splitt has stated he won’t recklessly assign Yang responsibilities beyond his capacity. This is understandable—Yang looks somewhat overwhelmed on both ends of the court in the NBA.

With the season more than halfway through, Yang’s progress has been underwhelming.Given the current situation, the Trail Blazers’ best option is to let him stay securely in the G Leagueso he can gain valuable game experience and gradually build confidence until he is truly ready to compete in the NBA.

The Trail Blazers selected Yang Hanson with the 16th pick in the first round of the draft, a decision that caused a stir and raised high expectations. The current situation may be disappointing, but for Yang at this stage, it is the choice most conducive to his development.

Even if the Trail Blazers make this decision, this season will not be wasted for Yang. At only 20 years old, adjusting to the NBA’s intensity and life in the US is a huge challenge. His NBA journey is far from over; he just needs more time to mature before he can truly contribute positively to the team.

The Trail Blazers currently hold a 20-22 record, sitting ninth in the Western Conference, competing for a playoff spot.If the team aims to return to the playoffs, their margin for error is extremely slim, leaving no room for a developing rookie like Yang Hanson to spend extended time leveling up.

This might make the team’s frontcourt rotation somewhat thin, but at present, any alternative is safer than putting Yang on the court—whether it’s having Lyles play as a spacing five or Grant appear in smaller lineups.

When the Trail Blazers picked Yang Hanson, they did not see him as a long-term project, and in fact,many expected him to become Klingen’s primary backup in the new season.Undoubtedly, his rookie season development has deviated completely from expectations. However, this isn’t necessarily negative, as the initial hype was largely about his long-term potential.

Still, considering Yang Hanson’s long-term growth and the Trail Blazers’ immediate playoff ambitions, allowing this rookie to continue in the G League remains the best solution for now.