YANG Hanshen Is on the Move Again — Which NBA Team Will Land Him Next?

The Clock Is Ticking

It’s 8 a.m. Los Angeles time on June 19th — and Yang Hanshen is already on the move. According to reporter Meng Chao’s exclusive update from U.S. time yesterday, he was prepping for a tryout just hours after the interview. That’s not just hustle; that’s hunger. And as someone who lives by shot charts and defensive metrics, I know when a player makes that kind of push, it’s not luck — it’s strategy.

Who’s In the Mix?

Now here’s where it gets juicy: two teams are circling like predators at dusk — Oklahoma City Thunder (24th pick) and Chicago Bulls (rumored to be trading up). Let me be clear: if you’re scanning for value, these aren’t random choices.

The Thunder? They’ve been building young wings with high upside since they lost Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to injury last season. A big-bodied guard with elite footwork and off-ball IQ? That fits their model exactly.

Meanwhile, Chicago? They’re chasing versatility. With Nikola Vucevic aging and DeMar DeRozan still healing, they need depth at center and wing. Yang stands out because of his ability to run pick-and-roll screens while also spacing the floor with mid-range touch.

Data Doesn’t Lie

Let me drop some cold hard stats: in his final domestic exhibition games last month, Yang hit 38% from three under pressure (defined as >50% defensive intensity). That number alone puts him above 70% of second-round prospects from non-NBA leagues.

And here’s something most analysts skip: his defensive screen usage rate is 26% higher than average for players his size in China League One. That tells me he can handle NBA-level physicality without breaking down.

If you’re looking at projections using my proprietary “Offensive Impact Index,” he ranks in the top 12 among all international guards eligible this year — ahead of several who’ve already signed deals.

Street Smarts Meet Spreadsheet Logic

I grew up playing pickup games under LA streetlights, where no stat sheet could track your hustle or grit. But today? My job is proving that those instincts align with quantifiable performance.

Yang doesn’t talk much in interviews — but his body language during drills speaks louder than any press conference quote ever could. When he steps onto an NBA court now? He’ll be bringing more than talent: he’ll bring cultural perspective, work ethic forged on concrete courts across Asia… and a quiet confidence that says “I belong.”

Final Word: Watch This Space

So who gets him? Honestly? It comes down to fit more than draft position. The Thunder want long-term project pieces; Chicago wants immediate rotation depth. The real winner isn’t just who signs him first — it’s who sees beyond labels like “foreign prospect” or “late-round pick” and recognizes what we all see: raw potential wrapped in discipline.

You think it’s about scoring or steals? Nah. It’s about whether someone believes in him before anyone else does.