Blazers Fined, Assistant GMs Suspended for Illegal Contact with Yang Hansen Before NBA Draft
Blazer's Edge • • sports
Key Points:
- The NBA fined the Portland Trail Blazers $100,000 and suspended Assistant General Managers Mike Schmitz and Sergi Oliva for two weeks without pay due to violations involving contact with draft-ineligible players during the scouting of rookie Yang Hansen in December 2023.
- The Blazers self-reported the violation and cooperated fully with the NBA’s investigation, accepting the league’s determination.
- Yang Hansen was selected by the Blazers with the No. 16 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, making him the highest drafted player from China since 2007.
- This season, Yang has played in 41 games, averaging 2.3 points and 7.2 minutes per game.
