Trending Now: 07/02/2025 - Hansen Yang Draft Hype

Trending Now is our space for urgent, time-sensitive news that doesn’t fit our usual content rotation. Think: game-day injury bombshells, last-minute trades, or pre-waiver chaos.  

This edition covers Hansen Yang’s rapid rise up dynasty draft boards.

Portland’s first-round pick Hansen Yang is drawing fantasy buzz — but is it warranted?

As of this week, Yang ranks as the 10th most-rostered rookie on Sleeper, ahead of names like Cedric Coward, Kasparas Jakucionis, and Noa Essengue. Here are the top 10 highest-rostered NBA rookies on Sleeper:

1. Cooper Flagg
2. Dylan Harper
3. Kon Knueppel
4. V.J. Edgecombe
5. Ace Bailey
6. Jeremiah Fears
7. Khaman Maluach
8. Tre Johnson
9. Derik Queen
10. Hansen Yang

This stands in sharp contrast to our dynasty rankings, where Yang comes in at No. 26 overall — well outside of the first-round range in 12-team leagues.

On the Locked In (CBS) podcast, Josh Lloyd expressed skepticism that Yang will ever earn a meaningful role in Portland. Dynasty analyst Matt Lawson echoed this, ranking Yang as a mid-to-late second-round pick at best.

We’re issuing a clear warning:

Don’t get swept up in the Sleeper hype.

Avoid using a late first-rounder on Yang when there are better prospects with stronger opportunity and upside.

A Quick Note on Walter Clayton

Despite being 13th in Sleeper roster %, Clayton holds steady in our late-teens ranking and remains a strong target in the second round. We’re not issuing a warning on him — just temper expectations.