Yang Hansen s trial and error cost is high? US media: If he fails to fulfill his expectations, the Trail Blazers will regret missing whom

On July 12, the Trail Blazers will play against the Warriors in their first game of the Summer League, and Yang Hansen is expected to make his debut in the "Tear City". Recently, Yang Hansen was in good condition when training in the team, which left a deep impression on his coach and teammates. Team forward guard swingman Lüper said that although Yang Hansen still needs to improve his English skills, this does not affect the center's ability to accurately send the pass.

Yang Hansen has attracted much attention

Oregon Live pointed out that Yang Hansen will not only be the most watched player in the Trail Blazers roster, but also one of the most noticeable rookies in the summer league. Obviously, this newcomer who switched to the NBA from the CBA will be under tremendous pressure. Trail Blazers media Rip City Project did not choose Yang Hansen in the original draft prediction. The media reported on the 7th that the Trail Blazers used the No. 11 draw to trade with the Grizzlies, and obtained the Grizzlies' No. 16 draw (from the Magic) and two future second round picks. This operation is regarded as the "opportunity cost" for picking Yang Hansen. Since it is a downward trading draft pick, although it will not lead to a hierarchical difference in draft quality, it will still make the Trail Blazers miss a group of good players.

Choosing Yang Hansen is accompanied by great risks. Once the Chinese center does not play the expected results, the opportunity cost of the Trail Blazers is extremely high. The team could have chosen Yakucionis, who, as a double-season defender, has both height and skills, which can provide valuable guarantees for the Trail Blazers in the backcourt. In 2022, Yakuchionis helped Lithuanian team win the A-level gold medal in the U16 European Championship; in 2023, he won the MVP of the Zadar Junior Championship (ANGT) and in 2024 he won the MVP in the NIJT Championship in Belgrade. In the summer of 2024, he promised to go to the United States to study at the University of Illinois. His freshman season was not smooth, with more mistakes than goals in the first 10 games. After finding the rhythm of the game, he missed two more games due to a wrist injury. After that, Yakuchionis has been fighting against injuries and his shooting performance has also begun to decline (the three-point shooting percentage before the injury is 41.4%). But he was still selected into the top ten league third team and the best rookie team with his comprehensive performance.

Akuchionis has comprehensive abilities

Overall, Yakuchionis is a comprehensive player. During his time at the University of Illinois, he averaged 15.0 points, 5.7 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game, with shooting percentages of 42%, 32% and 85% respectively. Some concerns about his game focused on athleticism, defense and decision-making, and he averaged 3.7 turnovers per game. US media pointed out that Yakuchionis's immediate combat power can fill the possible vacancy of the Trail Blazers' backcourt, and the Heat selected him at the 20th pick "very great value".

Yang Hansen needs to prove himself

US media emphasized that of course, Yang Hansen's footsteps and ball handling ability may be what the Trail Blazers value the most. But Yang Hansen, who came to the NBA from the CBA, may not have a high ceiling, which is very worrying; if his performance does not meet expectations, the Trail Blazers will not help but wonder how they let Yakuchionis, a defender who already has NBA strength, slip through his fingers.