Between those who viewed him as a legitimate Rookie of the Year contender and those who instead foresaw a more gradual adjustment to the physicality of American basketball, the preseason consensus was nearly unanimous: The Hansen’s growth potential appeared off the charts.
That perception was further reinforced by his inclusion among the so-called “projects” – raw prospects capable of fueling imagination and patience within NBA front offices.
Two months into the regular season, those expectations remain theoretically sound, but the most optimistic projections about the immediate impact of his rookie year have, at least so far, been tempered by reality.
In just fourteen appearancesboth Chauncey Billups and Tiago Splitter have handled the 2005-born big man’s size with extreme caution, limiting his exposure and, as a result, his involvement in the Portland Trail Blazers’ offense.
From here emerge two useful lenses through which to interpret technical decisions that have remained consistent even after the coaching change – beyond the predictable gap in pace and athletic impact compared to the Chinese league – along with a potential path forward that would allow the young big man to grow without leaving Oregon.
The Franchise’s Season Objectives
After two seasons focused on gradually integrating prospects and building a foundation for the future, the Trail Blazers are now testing the leadership abilities of Deni Avdija and Shaedon Sharpe while awaiting the return of Scoot Henderson.
The team’s relative balance just below sixth place in the Western Conference combined with the summer signing of Damian Lillard also currently sidelined, gives Portland a dual motivation – pragmatic in the first case, emotional in the second – to raise expectations. And, consequently, to minimize room for experimentation.
Too Many Centers on the Roster
The steady presence of Donovan Clingan and the more intermittent availability of Robert Williams III due to his well-documented physical issues, has proven sufficient to close off space for Hansen at his natural position.
At the same time, the overall solid play of the Grant-Camara pairing has not convinced Splitter to grant him exploratory minutes at the power forward spot.
A Possible Turning Point: A Trade Involving Williams III
Assuming the organization’s confidence in Clingan’s development is untouchable, Portland could leverage a finally healthy Time Lord as a trade assettaking initial steps toward a deal ahead of the February trade deadline.
This is where Hansen’s path reaches a far-from-simple crossroads. On one side, the possibility of continuing to compete for minutes even after a potential center departure – with the arrival, however, of a player similar in profile and technical footprint.
On the other, the concrete risk of sacrificing an entire rookie seasonviewed by many as a crucial stage in the maturation process, while waiting for Williams III to presumably leave Oregon at season’s end as an unrestricted free agent without generating any return.
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