The Portland Trail Blazers shocked the NBA world with their draft-day gamble on Yang Hansen. At the time of the selection, Portland’s front office received a lot of criticism for taking a widely projected second-rounder at pick No. 16. Hansen quickly silenced those critics with an impressive summer league performance, averaging a well-rounded 10.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 4.8 assists. <\/p>\n
Many viewed Hansen as a developmental selection from which a rebuilding Blazers team could benefit down the road. But that was never their intention behind this pick. <\/p>\n
“We’d feel comfortable putting him in a game right now. He’s that good. I don’t see this as a project type of situation. But it’s a crowded room,” Chauncey Billups said. <\/p>\n
Trading Robert Williams is the obvious answer to Portland’s center logjam<\/p>\n
To say that Portland’s center rotation is a crowded room is an understatement. They had five centers following the selection of Hansen, investing in the position with consecutive first-round picks. Joe Cronin somewhat addressed that logjam by buying out former starter Deandre Ayton, clearing the path for Donovan Clingan and Hansen. <\/p>\n
But Billups had another telling comment after the Hansen selection, noting that he doesn’t envision playing the two young centers together. That establishes a clear center hierarchy and makes Robert Williams III even more expendable<\/a>, as there are not enough minutes to go around at the five spot. <\/p>\n Williams is on an expiring $13.3 million deal this upcoming season. He’s still incredibly impactful when healthy as a lob threat and elite rim protector, which is why Portland values him highly. But they shouldn’t. <\/p>\n