Yang Hansen faces his first-ever DNP in his career! Three main reasons have relegated him to the fourth center spot: will he play in the G League seven days later?

On November 1st Beijing time, the NBA Cup tipped off, with the Trail Blazers edging the Nuggets 109-107 at home. Chinese player Yang Hansen did not see any court time, receiving his first DNP in his career. According to Splitter’s rotation, starters Klingen, the just-returned Lowry, and another center Reece all got minutes, leaving Hansen as the fourth center on the team. Given the current situation, his chances to play are slim, and he is more likely to participate in the G League starting seven days from now.

Before the game, Yang Hansen warmed up as usual and even trained alongside his idol Jokic. The Trail Blazers’ official account shared this moment, seemingly hinting at a possible matchup between the two during the game.

However, coach Splitter hinted in a pre-game interview that Hansen might not get playing time. He said Lowry is a more experienced veteran familiar with the league, and with his return, Hansen’s minutes will depend on the game situation. He also told Hansen to be patient, comparing the NBA to a marathon rather than a race decided in one, five, or ten games.

Throughout the entire match, Yang Hansen sat on the bench without any playing time. In the previous five games, he averaged nearly six minutes per game, but now those minutes have been allocated to Lowry and Reece. Why has Hansen fallen to the fourth center spot?

Reason 1: Performance has not met expectations

Yang Hansen performed well in the Summer League and preseason but has yet to adjust to the regular season’s intensity. In the five games played this season, he averages only 1.8 points and 0.8 rebounds, with a shooting percentage of 22.2%. When he first joined the Trail Blazers, then-coach Billups expressed confidence that Hansen could contribute immediately.

However, reality has been different; his performances show that he has not yet adapted to the speed and intensity of the NBA regular season. Team insiders have bluntly described Hansen’s current contribution as “negative.” In the first five games, he had a low impact, was prone to fouls, struggled to keep up with the pace, and showed fitness issues.

Therefore, Splitter, who replaced Billups, has a different view of Hansen’s role. In two interviews, he likened Hansen’s development process to a “marathon,” emphasizing that successfully adapting is not something that happens overnight. He hopes both the team and Hansen himself will exercise more patience.

Reason 2: Intense competition inside the paint

Including Hansen, the Trail Blazers now have four centers. Even though they parted ways with Ayton at the start of the season, the competition among centers remains fierce. Initially, when Lowry was not yet ready to play, Hansen was the first backup center, positioned after Klingen but before Reece in the rotation. He was even the first substitute sent onto the court.

Hansen failed to make an immediate impact, while Reece seized his limited opportunities and impressed the coach. With Lowry’s return and good health, his position in the rotation is naturally ahead of Hansen. The Nuggets game also reflected Hansen’s difficult situation—he has dropped out of the rotation and ranks behind Klingen, Lowry, and Reece as the fourth center on the team.

Without any trades, this competitive environment is unlikely to change. A more realistic development path for Yang Hansen is to play well in the G League, gain experience, and strive to perform strongly to earn a quicker return to the rotation.

Reason 3: Splitter prioritizes winning

The current Trail Blazers are different from past years; they are now at a stage where they need to achieve results rather than tank. Especially after Billups was suspended due to gambling involvement, new coach Splitter is eager to win more games to build his case for a permanent position. Under these circumstances, relying on veterans and limiting rookies’ minutes is naturally the primary rule.

Splitter has repeatedly emphasized patience for Hansen in interviews and hinted that developing Hansen is a long-term plan. In other words, without significant improvement, Hansen is unlikely to get much playing time this season.

Hansen’s most realistic opportunity remains in the G League. According to the G League’s official schedule, the 2025-26 season will start on November 8th Beijing time, which is seven days from now. The Trail Blazers’ affiliate, Rip City Remix, will face the Santa Cruz Warriors in their first game. To establish himself in the NBA, Hansen must first dominate in the G League.