Rich Paul has built a reputation for delivering big wins for his clients, and the 2025 NBA Draft was no different.
This time, the focus wasn’t on a marquee NCAA star or a high-profile American prospect.
It was Hansen Yang, a 7’1″ center from China, who became the latest example of Klutch Sports’ draft day power play.
Second Round Projection vs. No. 16 Overall Pick
Heading into the draft, multiple scouting services and social media draft analysts had Hansen Yang projected as a mid-to-late second-round pick.
Some NBA scouts reportedly had him outside their top 40 overall rankings.
Yet on draft night, the Portland Trail Blazers selected Yang with the 16th overall pick.
That single draft jump changed Yang’s financial future overnight:
| Projected Selection Spot | Estimated Earnings |
|---|---|
| Projected earnings as 16th pick (2025–29) | ~$20.7 million (fully guaranteed) |
| Projected earnings if drafted mid-second round | ~$3–4 million (non-guaranteed past first year) |
That’s a swing of nearly $17 million in guaranteed earnings before Yang even plays a minute in the NBA.
The Klutch Blueprint
So how did this happen? Insiders and league execs point to a now-familiar Klutch Sports formula:
- Media Buzz Creation: In the weeks leading up to the draft, select media outlets began highlighting Yang’s upside, defensive potential, international marketability, and size, despite limited NCAA or G-League exposure.
- Team Leverage: Rumors circulated that teams interested in Yang were told he wouldn’t participate in workouts or interviews unless they picked him in the first round.
- Global Marketing Angle: Behind the scenes, marketing execs whispered about Yang’s potential value in the Chinese broadcast and sponsorship market, making him more attractive for a team looking for international exposure such as the Portland Trailblazers.
- Streaming & Media Money: With the new chokehold streaming has on pro sports, small market teams now have more opportunities to land massive media rights deals and capitalize off of international talent.
Multiple league sources believe Rich Paul used both international business appeal and agent leverage to elevate Yang’s draft stock, much like he reportedly did for Bronny James in 2024.
The Long-Term Financial Impact
For Yang, this selection ensures:
- 4-years of guaranteed base salary.
- A better baseline for future extensions or free agency deals.
- Higher marketing and endorsement leverage as a first-round pick.
Whether Yang can produce on the court remains to be seen, but financially, this was a masterclass by Rich Paul and Klutch Sports.
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Next Reads
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Credits
Written by: Aidan Anderson
Research and Analysis: Apostle Sports Media LLC
Sources: NBA.com, ESPN, The Athletic, Spotrac, Forbes Sports Money, Klutch Sports Pressers, APSM Proprietary Analysis.
Featured Image: Public Domain / Instagram
Disclaimer: This article contains general financial information for educational purposes and does not constitute as professional advice.
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