What’s the next step in Cade Cunningham’s development for Pistons?
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It came late in the draft, but the Detroit Pistons finally made their pick.
After staying quiet on Day 1 without a first-round pick, the Pistons selected Chaz Lanier in the second round of the 2025 NBA Draft, with the No. 37 overall pick on Thursday, June 26. The team is hoping the newest addition will help build upon a resurgent 2024-25 season, one where the Pistons added 30 wins from a franchise-worst 14-68 the year before.
This is the second draft at the helm for team president of basketball operations Trajan Langdon, who has recently emphasized “optionality” as a guiding force for the front office.
Here’s how NBA experts graded the pick:
“With Malik Beasley, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Lindy Waters III all entering unrestricted free agency, there’s a possibility the Pistons’ depth on the wing will be gutted after free agency tips off on June 30. Lanier is one of the top shooters in the draft and addresses that need directly.”
“Perfect pick for Detroit. Wanna know why? Just look at the comparison for Lanier: Malik Beasley. Much like Beasley, Lanier is a knockdown shooter with shot-making creativity. Without great size or playmaking at his age, he’s a second-rounder for good reason. But the Pistons needed more shooting and now they got it.”
“Detroit needed to add scoring to its backcourt to surround Cade Cunningham and it accomplished that goal here in Lanier, who was an All-American last season at Tennessee and is a career 40.2% 3-point shooter. Lanier’s tough-minded play style and ability to score in bunches should be a nice fit here.”
“Lanier belongs in any discussion regarding this draft’s best shooter. Over the past two seasons, which he split between North Florida and Tennessee, the 23-year-old tallied 229 three-point makes at a 41.5 percent clip.”
“Speaking of great fit and landing spot, surrounding Cade with shooters is an easy recipe for success. And Lanier is a record setting movement shooter who made the most 3s in Tennessee history. Great size with the athleticism and physical attributes to guard wings. Great pick.”
You can reach Christian at cromo@freepress.com