NBA penalizes Trail Blazers and suspends staff regarding Yang Hansen.
On Wednesday, the NBA imposed a $100,000 fine on the Portland Trail Blazers for unauthorized contact with Yang Hansen in December 2023, which occurred two years prior to the 7-foot player from China being drafted.
The league also announced a two-week suspension without pay for assistant general managers Mike Schmitz and Sergi Oliva, stating that both the Trail Blazers and the two officials breached “league rules governing contact with draft-ineligible players” concerning Hansen.
“When this issue was brought to our attention, the Portland Trail Blazers self-reported to the NBA,” the team stated. “The organization fully cooperated with the investigation and accepts the league’s findings.”
The Trail Blazers obtained Hansen’s rights through a trade with the Memphis Grizzlies during the 2025 draft night, where he was chosen with the No. 16 pick.
Prior to being drafted, Hansen played two seasons with the Qingdao Eagles in China’s premier professional league.
This season, he has participated in 41 games as a rookie for Portland, averaging 2.3 points and 1.6 rebounds in 7.2 minutes per game.
Information from ESPN’s Shams Charania was utilized in this report.
