Yang Hansen deserves a chance! A U.S. media outlet suggests that the Trail Blazers should rebuild around three players: trading away Grant and Roby.

On August 7, Beijing time, U.S. media Clutch Points published an article discussing the Trail Blazers' operations, arguing that the team should rebuild around three young players and suggesting an immediate trade for Grant and Roby. The three young players mentioned in the article are Henderson, Sharpe, and Yang Hansen. Here are the main points—

The Trail Blazers will certainly be remembered for Lillard's return and the new energy revitalizing the team. They have added leadership, talent, and youthful vigor. However, the real test lies not in what they bring in, but in what they fail to let go of.

Grant and Robert Williams are hindering the development of young players and limiting the team's flexibility, and their value is on the verge of diminishing.The Trail Blazers need to be bolder. In the highly competitive Western Conference, waiting too long to take action could be fatal. This team may have taken a step toward transformation, but their indecisiveness might prevent them from ever reaching their goal.

Grant's five-year, $160 million contract is one of the most controversial deals in the league. As a player, Grant is a reliable two-way forward who can contribute an average of 20 points per game and create offensive space. However, in 2023, the Trail Blazers offered Grant a near-max contract to persuade Lillard to stay, ultimately failing to achieve that goal. When Lillard was traded to the Bucks, the Trail Blazers were already trapped by this long-term deal that did not align with their developmental timeline.

Since the 2019-20 season, Grant has never played more than 63 games in a single season, and last season he only appeared in 47 games before being sidelined by injury. Now in the third year of his contract, considering his injury history and declining trade value, it is almost certain he will exercise his player option for the 2027-28 season.

The best time to trade him was this summer—when teams had ample salary cap space, and the excitement of the free agent market made management more willing to take aggressive actions. Several championship-contending teams urgently need versatile forwards, and even if the Trail Blazers have to include a second-round pick or take on some short-term contracts, the financial flexibility and clarity of the roster gained would be well worth it.

However, the Trail Blazers chose to keep him, hoping to receive a better offer by the trade deadline or for Grant to restore his value. But the risks are evident: more injuries, fewer suitors, and further encroachment on the playing time that could belong to Shaedon Sharpe, Kamara, or Chris Murray.

The reasons for trading Robert Williams are even simpler. His lengthy injury history raises doubts about his ability to serve as a long-term centerpiece at center at this stage, and such beliefs are more theoretical than practical.

Williams was brought to the Trail Blazers in 2023 as part of the trade involving Jrue Holiday with the Boston Celtics and is currently in the last year of a four-year, $48 million contract. This $12 million expiring contract should have been a useful trading chip in this offseason. Many championship teams (like the Milwaukee Bucks, Sacramento Kings, and Dallas Mavericks) are looking for cost-effective big men, and despite health concerns, Williams could still fetch a future draft pick or a young prospect from teams in desperate need of rim protection and playoff-level defense.

However, the Portland Trail Blazers chose to keep him, fully aware that he might not be able to stay healthy, or even make it to the trade deadline.Worse yet, his presence could force Yang Hansen to either share playing time with others or wait behind an inconsistent veteran for growth opportunities.

By not trading Williams in July, the Trail Blazers also lost their leverage in negotiations. By February, potential trading partners would know that the Trail Blazers’ options would be fewer, time more pressing, and choices more limited. And what if Williams suffers another serious injury before then? He would be completely ignored.

So far, the Trail Blazers' management has been walking a tightrope, with one foot in the future and the other foot stuck in the present. The key lies in decisiveness. The Thunder moved on from veterans like Paul and Adams at the right time; the Magic let go of Terrence Ross and Vucevic, creating space for Banchero and Wagner.

The Trail Blazers, however, have failed to do this. While Lillard's return is emotionally satisfying and Holiday's leadership is valuable, neither player can guarantee they will stay healthy throughout the season or consistently perform at an All-Star level. Meanwhile,the team's young core—Scoot Henderson, Sharpe, and Yang Hansen—needs ball-handling opportunities, crucial playing time, and space to grow through mistakes.When Grant takes many shots on the court and Williams occupies the center rotation, the growth of young players becomes even more challenging.

Trying to please everyone? The Trail Blazers might hinder the growth of their young players. Worse still, they could fall into the NBA's most awkward "middle trap": not bad enough to secure a high draft pick, yet not strong enough to win games.