The Portland Trail Blazers faced mixed reactions when they selected Yang Hansen with the 16th overall pick in the draft, with many labeling the choice a reach. However, Hansen quickly proved skeptics wrong through a strong summer league performance. The 7-foot-1, 20-year-old center averaged 10.8 points, about five rebounds, four assists, and two blocks per game across four appearances, showcasing a rare combination of size, fluidity, three-point shooting, and passing skills unusual for a player at his position.

Donovan Clingan’s Established Role as Portland’s Franchise Center

Meanwhile, the Trail Blazers already have Donovan Clingan, a 7-foot-2 center out of UConn, who was taken seventh overall last year and earned a spot on the NBA All-Rookie team. Clingan’s promising rookie season positions him as the likely franchise center for Portland. With two young big men on the roster, Hansen faces the challenge of either complementing Clingan on the court or making the most of playing time without him to gain crucial development.

Balancing Offensive Roles Between Two Developing Big Men

Both Hansen and Clingan are still refining their offensive games and currently share similar limitations. While each has demonstrated some shooting ability, neither poses a consistent threat from deep range. Their strengths are predominantly in the two-man game near the basket, which creates a redundancy issue when they are paired on offense. This overlap could limit the effectiveness of their combined frontcourt presence unless both make significant strides in diversifying their skills.

Defensive Fit Creates Additional Challenges for the Twin Tower Concept

Defensively, the potential fit between Hansen and Clingan is even less clear. Both 250-plus pound centers excel as rim protectors within the paint but have less mobility on the perimeter. If they were to play together, one would likely need to guard outside the paint, a difficult task given their size and lack of quick lateral movement. This mismatch may further complicate the Blazers’ defense when utilizing both players simultaneously.

Future Prospects for Blending Hansen and Clingan on Portland’s Frontcourt

The coexistence of Hansen and Clingan as Portland’s twin towers remains uncertain. Their divergent playing styles and individual strengths highlight their unique contributions, but overlapping roles in offense and defense challenge their on-court synergy. The Trail Blazers coaching staff, led by Chauncey Billups, will need to devise creative strategies to maximize the duo’s potential. Should this pairing prove difficult to harmonize early on, Hansen still has the opportunity to establish himself as a key contributor in minutes allocated without Clingan.