After Two Warm-Up Games, Guangdong's 12-Man Roster Is Taking Shape: Xu Jie Leads, Zhang Haojia Likely Cut

On September 7 Beijing time, Guangdong Hongyuan had already completed its first two warm-up games of the summer. From the new head coach's lineup decisions, we can basically understand Guangdong's basic style of play and rotation lineup for the new season. Most of the regular-season 12-man roster has already taken shape. Three national team players competing away from the team and three foreign players occupy half of the positions, while the remaining six spots have also gradually been decided. Among them, Xu Jie, Zhou Peng, and Wang Hongze have no doubt about making the roster. They are the key figures at guard, forward, and center respectively. The remaining three spots will be selected from Huang Mingyi, Zhang Wenyin, Yang Yi, Yang Tengfei, Chen Jiazheng, Zhang Haojia, Zhang Jiarui, and Zhao Baole. (Zhang Hao has not yet recovered and is therefore not included.)

We believe Zhang Wenyin, Huang Mingyi, and Chen Jiazheng should make the 12-man roster, while Yang Yi and Yang Tengfei could have chances to enter the lineup when the team suffers injuries or manages player rest. As for Zhang Jiarui and Zhao Baole, they will most likely be assigned to play in the development league, while Zhang Haojia is almost certain to be completely cut.

Zhang Wenyin was not even able to break into Du Feng's regular rotation last season, but under the new head coach's system, he will definitely play a more important role and has almost secured a spot on the 12-man roster. The reason is simple: Zhang Wenyin can shoot three-pointers, has reliable three-point shooting, and can consistently hit efficient three-pointers. The new head coach places great emphasis on weak-side shooters responding with three-point shots, and the two warm-up games show that Zhang Wenyin is almost the biggest beneficiary of the new system.

Huang Mingyi should also make the roster. He started in both warm-up games. Although Coach Yashu strongly criticized Xiao Huang after his mistakes, he was still willing to give him opportunities to prove himself again, showing that he values Huang Mingyi highly. In fact, Huang Mingyi's defensive coverage, rim protection, and rebounding are also among the best currently on Hongyuan's wing and interior groups. Even though his offensive skills are somewhat raw, his defensive contributions cannot be ignored.

Both Yang Yi and Yang Tengfei have obvious limitations and weaknesses. Yang Yi lacks shooting ability and is disadvantaged by his height, while Yang Tengfei also has inconsistent shooting and is not trusted at all (he did not play in either of the two warm-up games). However, they also have some notable strengths and may enter the roster when the team lacks personnel or when opponents' lineups change, but they are not regular choices.