The Trail Blazers are paying the price for jumping the gun.
The NBA has fined Portland $100,000 for illegally contacting Yang Hansen in December 2023, before he was draft-eligible. The league also suspended assistant GMs Sergi Oliva and Mike Schmitz for two weeks without pay.
Portland acknowledged the situation.
“When this was brought to our attention the Portland Trail Blazers self reported to the NBA,” the team said, via Sean Highkin of Rose Garden Report. “The team cooperated fully with the investigation and accept the league’s determination.”
Hansen, the No. 16 pick in last year’s draft, was viewed as a bit of a surprise selection at the time. The Blazers made it clear they had been tracking him closely.
Now we know how closely.
The 20-year-old center has played a limited role with Portland, appearing in 41 games and averaging 2.3 points and 1.6 rebounds in 7.2 minutes. He’s done more damage in the G League, putting up 17.1 points and 9.1 boards with the Rip City Remix.
He was also part of the Rising Stars event at All-Star Weekend.
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