NBA Fines Trail Blazers, Suspends Personnel Over Illegal Contact with Draft Prospect

League takes action against Portland team for violations involving Chinese player Yang Hansen

Apr. 11, 2026 at 10:14am

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A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting a basketball court and players in a state of geometric abstraction, using a blend of red, black, and blue tones to represent the Portland Trail Blazers and Memphis Grizzlies.The NBA's decisive action against the Trail Blazers over illegal player contact underscores the league's commitment to integrity and fair play.Memphis Today

The NBA has fined the Portland Trail Blazers $100,000 and suspended two of the team's assistant general managers, Mike Schmitz and Sergi Oliva, without pay over illegal contact with draft-ineligible player Yang Hansen. The league found the Trail Blazers violated rules around player acquisition and contact, leading to the team acquiring Hansen's rights in a trade with the Memphis Grizzlies two years after the initial improper contact.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the NBA's commitment to maintaining the integrity of its draft process and player acquisition rules. The swift action taken against the Trail Blazers sends a strong message that the league will not tolerate any violations, no matter how minor, as it seeks to ensure a level playing field for all teams.

The details

According to the league, the Trail Blazers engaged in improper contact with Yang Hansen, a 7-foot Chinese player, prior to him being draft-eligible. The team then acquired Hansen's rights as part of a trade with the Memphis Grizzlies two years later. The NBA's investigation found that assistant GMs Schmitz and Oliva were involved in the illegal contact, leading to their suspensions without pay.

  • The NBA announced the fines and suspensions on April 11, 2026.
  • The initial improper contact with Yang Hansen occurred prior to him becoming draft-eligible.
  • The Trail Blazers acquired Hansen's rights in a trade with the Memphis Grizzlies two years after the initial contact.

The players

Portland Trail Blazers

An NBA franchise based in Portland, Oregon that was fined $100,000 by the league for violating rules around player acquisition and contact.

Mike Schmitz

An assistant general manager for the Portland Trail Blazers who was suspended without pay by the NBA for his involvement in the illegal contact with draft prospect Yang Hansen.

Sergi Oliva

An assistant general manager for the Portland Trail Blazers who was suspended without pay by the NBA for his involvement in the illegal contact with draft prospect Yang Hansen.

Yang Hansen

A 7-foot Chinese basketball player who was the subject of improper contact by the Portland Trail Blazers prior to him becoming draft-eligible. The Trail Blazers later acquired his rights in a trade with the Memphis Grizzlies.

Memphis Grizzlies

An NBA franchise based in Memphis, Tennessee that traded the rights to Yang Hansen to the Portland Trail Blazers.

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What’s next

The NBA will continue to monitor the Trail Blazers' compliance efforts and may take additional action if further violations are discovered.

The takeaway

This incident serves as a stark reminder that the NBA takes its rules and regulations very seriously, and any violation, no matter how minor, can result in significant consequences. It highlights the importance of maintaining a level playing field and the need for teams to have robust compliance programs to prevent such incidents from occurring.