Trail Blazers disciplined for draft violation involving Yang Hansen
The Trail Blazers have been fined $100,000 by the NBA for violating rules governing contact with Yang Hansen in December 2023.
The Portland Trail Blazers have been fined $100,000 by the NBA for violating rules governing contact with a draft-eligible player, the league announced on Wednesday. The violation stemmed from the scouting of Yang Hansen in December 2023, when the center was playing with Qingdao Eagles in the Chinese Basketball Association. The incident occurred prior to Yang becoming eligible to be drafted.
Additionally, assistant general managers Sergi Oliva and Mike Schmitz have each been suspended by the league for two weeks without pay for their roles in the illegal contact with Yang. The organization took full responsibility for the incident. "When this was brought to our attention, the Portland Trail Blazers self-reported to the NBA," the team said in a statement, via Shams Charania of ESPN .
"The team cooperated fully with the investigation and accepts the league's determination. " The following has been released by the NBA. pic.
twitter. com/qwS5bJogse — NBA Communications (@NBAPR) April 1, 2026 Yang was the 16th pick in the 2025 NBA draft after establishing himself as an All-Star in each of the past two seasons in China. He averaged 16.