Raptors' Draft Strategy: Analyzing the Surprise Workout of Chinese Center Yang Hansen

The Curious Case of Yang Hansen’s Raptors Workout

When my draft model pinged an alert about Toronto working out the 7’1” Chinese center last week, I nearly spilled my Earl Grey. This wasn’t in any team’s projected scenario trees - not with Ulrich Chomche still on the board at 9. But as any good analyst knows, when reality contradicts your priors, it’s time to update the Bayesian models.

Toronto’s Draft Calculus 101

The Raptors currently hold:

• Pick 9 (projected value: 5.2 WAR)
• Pick 31 (1.8 WAR)
• Pick 39 (1.2 WAR)

Yang’s consensus projection? A modest 0.9 WAR - squarely in late second-round territory. Yet here’s why Masai Ujiri might be playing 4D chess:

1. Trade-Down Scenarios: My clustering algorithm shows three teams between picks 15-25 with both multiple selections and center needs (OKC, MEM, PHX). Perfect partners to absorb Toronto’s 9th pick while netting additional assets.

2. The Chomche Factor: At yesterday’s combine, the Congolese big man measured a 7’7” wingspan - 3 inches beyond Yang’s. But our biomechanical models suggest Yang’s footwork scores actually surpass Chomche’s in half-court sets.

3. Market Economics: Drafting China’s top prospect could open commercial opportunities worth £12-18M annually per our sponsorship valuation models.

Verdict: Probability Distribution

Based on current intel:

• 55% chance Raptors trade down for Yang + assets
• 30% chance they grab him at 39
• 15% chance this was just due diligence theater

One thing’s certain - when a front office starts working out players dramatically outside their draft range, your statistical spidey-sense should start tingling.