{"id":130195,"date":"2025-06-28T00:12:11","date_gmt":"2025-06-28T00:12:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/130195\/"},"modified":"2025-06-28T00:12:11","modified_gmt":"2025-06-28T00:12:11","slug":"pistons-chaz-lanier-pick-spells-doom-for-veteran-sharpshooter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/130195\/","title":{"rendered":"Pistons’ Chaz Lanier Pick Spells Doom for Veteran Sharpshooter"},"content":{"rendered":"

With only one selection in the 2025 NBA Draft, the Detroit Pistons<\/a> made it count, adding sharpshooter<\/a> Chaz Lanier<\/a> out of Tennessee. The 6-foot-4 guard joins a Pistons team in need of reliable outside shooting.<\/p>\n

After four solid years at North Florida, where he averaged 8.9 points and shot 40% from deep, Lanier made a significant leap in his lone season at Tennessee. He averaged 18.0 points and 3.9 rebounds while maintaining his shooting prowess, earning him the Jerry West Award, SEC Newcomer of the Year honors, and First-Team All-SEC recognition.<\/p>\n

Lanier\u2019s selection speaks volumes about the Pistons\u2019 priorities \u2014 but is it just about adding another shooter? Or does it hint at potential moves involving the current backcourt? How does the drafting of Lanier grade for the Pistons? Let\u2019s dive in.<\/p>\n

Pistons\u2019 Chaz Lanier Pick Spells Doom for Veteran Sharpshooter
\n\"\"<\/a>Tennessee guard Chaz Lanier (2) celebration after hitting a 3-point basket during the Sweet 16 game against Kentucky in the NCAA college basketball tournament on Friday, March 28, 2025, in Indianapolis, IN.
\nIs Lanier the Pistons\u2019 Next Elite Shooter \u2014 Which Veteran Is on the Brink?<\/p>\n

Lanier\u2019s arrival raises questions about the futures of Detroit\u2019s key free agents. Malik Beasley<\/a>, a reliable shooter and steady presence, is expected to re-sign with the team. His role as a floor spacer still fits the Pistons\u2019 evolving identity.<\/p>\n

The bigger question looms around Tim Hardaway Jr.<\/a> In 77 games, the veteran wing played a key role in Detroit\u2019s turnaround, averaging 11.0 points on 36.8% shooting from beyond the arc. However, his performance dipped in the playoffs, where, despite averaging 12.0 points, he shot just 33.8% from the field and 30.8% from deep. Hardaway Jr.\u2019s leadership and experience remain valuable.<\/p>\n

The Pistons could prioritize getting younger and more cost-effective on the wing, especially as they continue to develop their core. If the front office believes Lanier can replicate or exceed Hardaway\u2019s production at a fraction of the cost, the decision becomes clearer. Ultimately, Hardaway\u2019s future may hinge more on his veteran leadership than on his up-and-down 2024-25 season.<\/p>\n

What Grade Does Lanier Earn With The Pistons?<\/p>\n

The Pistons needed more perimeter shooting, and they got just that. Lanier is one of the most polished shooters in this draft class, and his ability to score at all three levels makes him a valuable offensive weapon. Though not an elite playmaker and sometimes shaky on defense, his scoring versatility is key for the Pistons\u2019 half-court offense.<\/p>\n

Lanier may not be a high-ceiling prospect, but he\u2019s a high-floor player who can immediately contribute in a defined role. His mature game, efficient shooting, and college experience position him to be an instant-impact rotation player, especially if Detroit parts ways with one of its veteran wings. If Lanier defends well in the NBA, this pick could look even smarter<\/a> as time goes on.<\/p>\n

Grade: A-<\/p>\n

The Last Word<\/p>\n

With limited assets in this year\u2019s draft, the Pistons made a calculated, value-driven selection by landing Lanier. His shooting touch, scoring maturity, and collegiate experience check several boxes for a team trying to turn the corner competitively. While not a flashy pick, Lanier fills an immediate need and gives Detroit roster flexibility heading into free agency.<\/p>\n

Whether Lanier\u2019s arrival marks the end of a veteran like Hardaway\u2019s future with the Pistons is still unclear. They are prioritizing efficiency, youth, and shooting. They\u2019re reshaping their identity around those core principles. If Lanier\u2019s college success translates to the NBA, this pick could become a quiet steal. It may be one of the more underrated selections of the 2025 draft.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Featured image: \u00a9 Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"With only one selection in the 2025 NBA Draft, the Detroit Pistons made it count, adding sharpshooter Chaz…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":130196,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3773],"tags":[7,3523,296,188,3860,910,6,297,911],"class_list":{"0":"post-130195","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-detroit-pistons","8":"tag-basketball","9":"tag-chaz-lanier","10":"tag-detroit","11":"tag-detroit-pistons","12":"tag-detroitpistons","13":"tag-malik-beasley","14":"tag-nba","15":"tag-pistons","16":"tag-tim-hardaway-jr"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/channels.im\/@nba\/114758100395441157","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/130195","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=130195"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/130195\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/130196"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=130195"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=130195"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=130195"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}