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NBA Fines Trail Blazers $100,000, Suspends Two Assistant GMs Over Illegal Contact With Yang Hansen

The team says it self-reported illegal 2023 contact with prospect Yang Hansen, accepting the league's ruling.

Overview

  • The NBA announced Wednesday that Portland violated rules by contacting draft-ineligible center Yang Hansen during December 2023 scouting.
  • Assistant general managers Sergi Oliva and Mike Schmitz were suspended two weeks without pay for their roles in the violation.
  • Portland said it cooperated with the investigation, will not appeal, and the executives will serve the suspensions.
  • League rules bar direct contact with underage international prospects before draft eligibility to prevent teams from gaining early influence.
  • Portland acquired Hansen’s rights with the No. 16 pick in 2025 via a trade with Memphis, and he has played limited NBA minutes while producing more in the G League.