Cedric Coward and Yang Hansen, two players who rose to prominence during the draft process, were traded on draft night between the Portland Trail Blazers and the Memphis Grizzlies.
While the Trail Blazers surprised many by draughting Yang, the Grizzlies acquired their guy in Coward by trading up, and the Trail Blazers recouped future draft assets by trading down.
We analysed the deal from every angle, including grading the Memphis and Portland trades as a whole.
Yang, a big guy from China, was picked by the Grizzlies with the sixteenth overall selection minutes later.
He was widely anticipated to go in the second or third round.
Yang has agreed to be the Trail Blazers’ requested first-round selection as part of the trade.
This move allows Portland to secure a player they specifically targeted, even if it meant reaching for him earlier than anticipated in many mock drafts. Let’s grade both sides of the deal, beginning with the Trail Blazers, who surprised the entire NBA by selecting Yang arguably a full 30 picks early.
This is a questionable trade for the Trail Blazers on multiple levels, even before we analyze Yang’s draft stock.
Portland’s roster already features a crowded frontcourt, making this selection particularly puzzling.
Center was arguably the least of Portland’s needs coming into this draft.
Aside from selecting Connecticut center Donovan Clingan No. 7 overall in the 2024 NBA Draft, two veteran centers are also on the roster in Deandre Ayton and Robert Williams III.
Now, the Trail Blazers add Yang, a fourth center, in a league that has increasingly shifted towards utilizing only one center on the court at a time.
This move strongly suggests that either Ayton or Williams, or both, will likely be on the move this summer.
There are several center-needy teams across the NBA, and Trail Blazers general manager Joe Cronin should be a primary contact for those seeking frontcourt depth.
It is incredibly perplexing for Portland’s present roster design to choose a player at a position that is already very congested, regardless of possible future moves.
Take into account the trade compensation thereafter. Cronin acquired the Orlando Magic’s first-round pick for 2028 in the trade that sent five picks back, including the wing players Carter Bryant and Noa Essengue—two players who would have been a good fit for Portland.
Despite the allure of a first-round selection, the Magic are expected to retain great forwards Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero by the year 2028. Both are essential components for Orlando, and they are both under the age of 23 right now.
The Magic’s future looks brighter when they acquired Desmond Bane in a trade with the Grizzlies. Bane is under contract with the Magic until the 2028–2029 season.
All signs point to this 2028 pick being in the 20s, which is a lower value asset compared to a higher lottery selection.
Do you think it was worth it to give up five slots in the current draft, two picks in the second round, and that?
It was for Cronin. Until NBA commissioner Adam Silver took the stage to reveal Yang’s name, it could have been justified. During the NBA Draft Combine scrimmages, Yang—a towering presence in the paint—showed surprising mobility, a deft touch around the rim, and an unselfish passing skill.
As a result, his draft stock went from being considered for a full withdrawal to being in the middle of the first round.
Nonetheless, the draft gurus at ESPN predicted that Yang would be available in the second round.
Given that ESPN projected him as the 35th overall talent in their consensus, picking him at 16 was a poor decision.
With all of these reasons combined, it’s undoubtedly questionable business by Cronin and the other decision-makers in the Trail Blazers’ front office. At this point, it’s unclear what direction Portland is trying to go in as a franchise.
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