Is Yang Hansheng likely to become Giannis Antetokounmpo’s teammate? The Trail Blazers have two major advantages in pursuing the superstar, with Klingen possibly used as a trade asset.

On February 1st Beijing time, in the trade negotiations concerning Giannis, the Portland Trail Blazers have been seen as a likely trade driver. Yet, the Blazers have made it clear to the Bucks that they want to bring this star player onto their own roster. Reporters Fischer and Stein reported these developments. Should the Blazers secure Giannis, Yang Hansheng would join the Greek Freak as a teammate.

The Blazers have two significant strengths. First, their roster currently includes stars Lillard and Holiday, both of whom have previously been teammates with Giannis on the Bucks and had great chemistry. Second, the Blazers hold Milwaukee’s future first-round picks and pick swap rights from 2028 to 2030.

It is precisely these draft assets that have repeatedly involved the Blazers in rumors about Giannis potentially moving to other teams. Under such trade structures, the Blazers would initially send their draft assets to the Bucks to help those teams lacking sufficient picks complete deals, while receiving one or two players in return for themselves.

Additionally, the Blazers still control some of their own first-round picks and have promising young talents like second-year center Klingen on the roster. From a trade asset perspective, the Blazers theoretically can assemble an attractive package to acquire Giannis. Moreover, in the offseason, their available assets will become even more valuable (with clearer status on the 2026 lottery-protected first-round pick, the poison pill clause in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s contract expiring, and Tumani Kamara gaining trade eligibility, among others).

Fischer and Stein noted that the Blazers’ management understands it is highly unlikely Giannis would sign a long-term extension with the team, describing it as a “very low probability” event.

Other teams believe that acquiring Trail Blazers guard Holiday would increase their chances of signing this former Bucks teammate. They also mentioned that the Blazers have a positive interest in the New York Knicks’ forward Bridges.