U.S. Analyst: Yang Hansen Isn’t Ready for a Starting Role Yet, but His Potential Is Undeniable

On December 8 (Beijing time), NBA reporter Jack Simone published his analysis of Yang Hansen’s first career NBA start. Simone pointed out that Yang is not yet ready for a starting role at the NBA level—and has not even fully reached regular rotation standards. However, there is no denying that his long-term potential remains extremely promising. Below is a refined version of Simone’s full assessment.

Yang Hansen earned his first career start today, but the game also made it clear that he is still not prepared to handle starter-level minutes in the NBA. The Portland Trail Blazers suffered a lopsided road loss to the Memphis Grizzlies, who were without Ja Morant, and Yang was unable to reach even 20 minutes of playing time in the contest.

He logged 19 minutes and 13 seconds, as Portland fell 96–119. The rookie big man finished with 4 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists on 2-of-5 shooting, along with 2 turnovers. Although injuries—most notably Clingan’s absence—gave him expanded opportunities, his performance did not provide the positive impact the Blazers were hoping for.

At this moment, Yang Hansen is simply not ready to be an NBA starter—and that reality is completely understandable.

During the 2025 NBA Draft, Portland’s decision to select Yang with the 16th overall pick surprised nearly everyone. Yet during the Summer League, he flashed impressive upside and left a strong impression on fans and scouts alike. As the rookie season has begun, however, one truth is becoming increasingly clear: Yang fits the profile of a long-term developmental prospect, not an immediate contributor. And that, in itself, is perfectly acceptable—especially since the Blazers surely recognized this when they drafted him.

Through his first 13 regular-season NBA games, Yang has averaged just 7.7 minutes per game, posting 2.6 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 0.8 assists, while shooting only 30.0% from the field. His three-point shooting has been particularly challenging, hitting just 1 of 16 attempts (6.3%), with 1.2 threes per game.

The early stage of this season has been difficult for him, and his first start did not allow him to seize the opportunity as many had hoped. This performance only reinforced the reality that, at this stage, Yang Hansen is not ready to become a key piece of an NBA rotation. Still, that was never the immediate expectation. Portland selected him as a long-term project, with future upside in mind rather than instant results.

Importantly, Yang has already shown encouraging signs in the G League this season. In three games with the Rip City Remix, he has averaged 16.3 points, 9.7 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 1.3 steals, and 2.0 blocks, while shooting 46.3% from the field and 30.8% from three on 4.3 attempts per game. These performances have reignited the same excitement he generated during the Summer League.

Yang Hansen may not be ready for an NBA starting role—nor even a consistent place in the regular rotation just yet—and the game against the Grizzlies made that clear. But what cannot be ignored is this: his potential remains enormous, and his future is still full of possibility.