The NBA has fined the Portland Trail Blazers $100,000 for violating league rules concerning contact with a player not yet eligible for the draft. The violations occurred in 2023 during the team's scouting of center Yang Hansen.
Additionally, assistant general managers Sergi Oliva and Mike Schmitz have been suspended without pay for two weeks. The Blazers organization stated they self-reported the incident to the league upon discovery and fully cooperated with the investigation.
Yang Hansen, whom the Blazers drafted 16th overall in 2025 out of China, has played limited minutes for the team this season. Oliva also coaches Portland's G League team, while Schmitz joined the franchise in 2022 after a media career.