Trail Blazers Exercise Options on Clingan and Hansen

The Portland front office locks in two young prospects to secure their contracts through the 2027-28 NBA season.

Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Basketball

Trail Blazers Exercise Options on Clingan and Hansen

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The Portland Trail Blazers have officially exercised team options on Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, ensuring both players remain with the franchise through the 2027-28 season. These strategic roster decisions solidify the team's control over two promising young players.

Why it matters

Exercising these options allows the Trail Blazers to retain roster stability and invest in the long-term development of two core prospects. This move ensures the team avoids free agency concerns for the duo during the upcoming campaign.

Donovan Clingan averaged 12.1 points, 11.6 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks per game during his sophomore season. Yang Hansen, a 7-foot-1 prospect, has appeared in 44 career NBA games.

The players

Donovan Clingan

He is an NBA center drafted No. 7 overall in 2024 who previously played college basketball.

Yang Hansen

He is a 7-foot-1 professional basketball player from China who was a first-round selection in the 2025 NBA draft.

Portland Trail Blazers

This professional basketball team competes in the National Basketball Association's Western Conference.

Memphis Grizzlies

This professional basketball organization operates within the NBA and was involved in the draft-night trade for Yang Hansen.

The details

Clingan, the No. 7 overall pick in the 2024 NBA draft, led the league in offensive rebounds and contested shots last season. Yang Hansen, acquired in a draft-night trade with the Memphis Grizzlies involving the swap of the No. 11 and No. 16 picks, continues to develop his role in the rotation.

Donovan Clingan was selected in the 2024 NBA draft.
Yang Hansen was selected in the 2025 NBA draft.
The general manager announced the team options on October 29, 2026.
The option year for both players covers the 2027-28 season.

Season Trajectory

These moves align with the NBA Collective Bargaining Agreement rookie-scale option clauses that allow teams to maintain control over draft picks. The decision keeps the roster intact, impacting the team's long-term salary cap and positional depth for future seasons.

The commitment of $14.5 million in combined salary for the 2027-28 season provides clarity for the team's cap space planning. Fans can expect both Clingan and Hansen to remain integral parts of the rotation throughout the duration of these exercised options.

The takeaway

Securing key young players through team options is a fundamental strategy for NBA franchises aiming to build sustainable championship rosters. Fans should monitor how these players evolve within the system as they approach the start of their next contract period.