Today Trail Blazers reporter Reese Kunz published an article talking about Yang Hansen and Quinn. The following is the full content.
Behind the Trail Blazers' 6-5 record: Did they choose the wrong big man?
After defeating the New Orleans Pelicans 125-117 in an away game, the Portland Trail Blazers' season record came to 6 wins and 5 losses. Although the Pelicans lost the game, the performance of this year's 13th overall pick Derek Quinn was impressive. So far this season, he has averaged 10.7 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.1 steals per game. This raises questions about whether the Trail Blazers selected the right big man in the 2025 NBA Draft.
The Trail Blazers were short-handed due to injuries and Jerami Grant was ejected in the second quarter, but Yang Hansen, their 16th overall pick, did not play. This was the sixth consecutive game that he failed to get an opportunity to play as arranged by the coach. At the same time, Quinn scored 26 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists in this game.
Considering that Quinn has become a rising star in this draft, this performance is not surprising. As a versatile center, his unique skills have attracted the attention of opponents. Even Tim Duncan, the best power forward in history, was full of praise for Quinn. During the game against Bunyama and the Spurs, Duncan once texted: "I really like that Derek Quinn."
Quinn has become the kind of offensive core that Portland hopes Yang Hansen will be. Comparisons between these rookies must be viewed with caution and patience. Yang is clearly on a different career trajectory and is working on improving his speed and conditioning levels. However, the comparison is particularly painful because Quinn ended up being the 13th overall pick, well within the Blazers' draft range. Because the Trail Blazers originally had the 11th pick in this year's draft, they acquired Yang Hansen with the 16th pick through a trade with the Grizzlies.
Yang Hansen is 10cm taller than Quinn and should theoretically have higher potential if he can exert his full strength at the NBA level. But that theoretical advantage may not become a reality, as Quinn appears to be on his way to stardom.
Entering the draft, there were doubts about whether Quinn's 2.06-meter height would be useful at a higher level, especially since he was not a reliable outside shooter. Those concerns are compounded by the concerning athleticism he showed at the combine. However, Quinn proved to be a great player at Maryland and quickly showed that with the Pelicans.
Quinn has one of the highest basketball IQs in this draft. He is a unicorn who can serve as the centerpiece of an offense with his patience, deft feet and ball-handling skills. Does this sound familiar? This is what we expect Hansen Yang to be. If he had been drafted, Quinn would have been a perfect fit for the Trail Blazers' athletic lineup, able to initiate offense on the fast break and find their athletic guards for cutting coordination in half-court battles.
The Blazers won't admit to this potential draft mistake now, but they can at least raise the question of whether they overcomplicated things in the draft. Quinn is a proven lottery talent who could give the Blazers all the possibilities they've come to expect from Yang.