Team reporter: Yang Hansen is still not ready, and even if the Blazers trade away Robert Williams, they will bring in another center.

On December 18th Beijing time, Blazers reporter Mike Richman spoke on a podcast about various trade rumors involving the team, emphasizing that Yang Hansen is not fully ready for NBA-level play, and that even if Robert Williams is traded, the team will bring in another center. Here is Richman’s analysis—

The Blazers are indeed planning a major trade, and their goal is definitely not to rebuild by selling off key players for draft picks. Instead, they intend to keep strengthening and progressing steadily. Even if a trade temporarily reduces the team’s immediate competitiveness, such as trading away Robert Williams and creating a shortage of inside players—After all, Yang Hansen is still not ready (for NBA-level games), and Reece cannot be considered a traditional center. Even if this situation occurs, they want to get back players under team control who fit the future roster or free up salary space to sign a quality center in free agency.

Even if the team’s competitiveness declines in the short term, it is for long-term development, which has always been their operational philosophy. Therefore, in the coming weeks, when you see reports like “Milwaukee Bucks interested in trading Jeremy Grant,” “A team wants Robert Williams,” or “A team targets Matisse Thybulle,” consider the Blazers’ core goals, past trade patterns, and the types of assets they want in return.

Keep in mind, the Blazers will not take on large overpriced contracts since they want to avoid luxury tax; nor will they act as a “dumping ground” for other teams’ unwanted contracts. Their objective is clear: to acquire players who can contribute right away. Based on their past moves, the safest prediction is that the Blazers will likely remain relatively inactive at this trade deadline, neither making big purchases nor massive sales, more like an observer—unless a blockbuster involving Giannis Antetokounmpo breaks out on the Bucks’ side, in which case they might get involved.

So far this season, Yang Hansen has played 13 games for the Blazers, averaging only 7.7 minutes per game, contributing 2.6 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 0.8 assists, with a shooting percentage of 30%, three-point percentage of 6.3%, and free throw percentage of 90%. He has also appeared in 5 games for the G League’s Rip City Remix, averaging 30.8 minutes, with 16.2 points, 9.4 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.2 blocks per game, shooting 50.8% from the field, 31.3% from three, and 72.7% from the free throw line.