{"id":159868,"date":"2025-07-10T04:02:18","date_gmt":"2025-07-10T04:02:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/159868\/"},"modified":"2025-07-10T04:02:18","modified_gmt":"2025-07-10T04:02:18","slug":"detroit-pistons-president-trajan-langdon-talks-growth-roster-fit-free-agency-ahead-of-summer-league","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/159868\/","title":{"rendered":"Detroit Pistons President Trajan Langdon talks growth, roster fit, free agency ahead of summer league"},"content":{"rendered":"

DETROIT \u2013 Detroit Pistons<\/a> President Trajan Langdon<\/a> talked to the media following the team\u2019s introduction of rookie Chaz Lanier<\/a>.<\/p>\n

During the media session on Tuesday (July 8), Langdon shared insights on the team\u2019s growth, Caris LeVert<\/a>\u2019s fit, and what to expect from summer league players.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe do get bigger. Will we be better? I\u2019m not sure,\u201d said Langdon. \u201cBut that comes from the growth of our young guys being in the gym and developing.\u201d<\/p>\n

On LeVert\u2019s role in the backcourt, Langdon praised the former Michigan Wolverines<\/a>\u2019 versatility.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe special thing about Caris is you can plug and play him with darn near anybody,\u201d Langdon said. \u201cHe can guard ones, twos, and threes. He can handle the ball as a secondary ball handler. He can play on or off the ball depending on the lineup.\u201d<\/p>\n

LeVert\u2019s skill set is not one-dimensional, as it includes scoring and playmaking.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe plays an unselfish brand of basketball, can come off down screens, play in pick-and-roll actions, score for himself, and create for others. I\u2019m confident J.B. Bickerstaff<\/a> is going to find a really good role within our system,\u201d Langdon said.<\/p>\n

Langdon also highlighted the importance of Jaden Ivey<\/a>\u2019s return.<\/p>\n

\u201cJI\u2019s return gets lost in all this. He\u2019s going to fill a lot of the point guard and playmaking roles. Caris will fill in the loss of Dennis Schroder as well,\u201d Langdon said.<\/p>\n

Regarding the summer league roster, Langdon expects big things from key players.<\/p>\n

\u201cVitaly Potapenko<\/a> will be the head coach for the summer league. We\u2019re sticking with our brand of basketball \u2014 physical, defensive-minded, but also getting up and down the court and playing unselfishly,\u201d Langdon said.<\/p>\n

Langdon also mentioned standout players like Ron Holland II<\/a>, Bobi Klintman<\/a>, Dennis Jenkins<\/a>, Tolu Smith<\/a>, and Lanier.<\/p>\n

\u201cRon and Bobi will get a lot of attention. Chaz, Dennis Jenkins, and Tou Smith are two-way players. We\u2019ll also have some Exhibit 10 players going up and down. We have some experienced Exhibit 10 guys like Miller Kopp from OKC. Zakai Zeigler<\/a> is coming in to play with Chaz. We have a good, balanced group, and we\u2019ll come in and compete with a defensive slant as usual,\u201d Langdon said.<\/p>\n

Lanier said he was also excited to reunite with a former college teammate, Zeigler, the undrafted guard who signed as an undrafted free agent with the Pistons.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe was my point guard at Tennessee, a great player. I love Zakai a lot. It\u2019s definitely an exciting feeling being able to play with him and just a great opportunity,\u201d Lanier said.<\/p>\n

On Holland II\u2019s role as the veteran of the group, Langdon expressed excitement.<\/p>\n

\u201cRon\u2019s been one of our hardest workers in the gym, relentlessly working on his game and shot. We told him to go out there and compete on both ends, impact winning, and be incredibly aggressive,\u201d Langdon said.<\/p>\n

All reports ahead of the summer league suggest that they have been focusing on creating offense.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s not just taking shots but getting in the lane and creating for others. He and Bobi have been working very hard to prepare for summer league. I\u2019m excited to see what they can do in Las Vegas,\u201d Langdon said.<\/p>\n

Langdon also provided an update on the offseason progress of a key player, such as Ausar Thompson<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201c(Ausar Thompson) He\u2019s been great, in the gym with everybody else. He looks like he\u2019s naturally filled out \u2014 bigger, stronger, broader shoulders, put on some maturing mass,\u201d Langdon said.<\/p>\n

Langdon said Thompson has been working on key skills, such as creation and ball handling, during the off-season.<\/p>\n

\u201c(Thompson) He\u2019s doing shot creation, ball handling, working on his shot, and finishing. He seems more comfortable in those areas. We\u2019re pleased with his progress,\u201d Langdon said.<\/p>\n

Langdon emphasized the importance of a healthy, full offseason for Thompson.<\/p>\n

\u201cBeing able to start the season healthy after a full summer and training camp will be very important for him (Thompson) and for us,\u201d Langdon said.<\/p>\n

Look for Lanier and the young Pistons to take the floor for the first time on Friday, July 11, where they will take on the New York Knicks inside Cox Pavilion at 6 p.m. on NBA TV.<\/p>\n

–> \u2018I can step in and play immediately\u2019: Detroit Pistons introduce confident rookie Chaz Lanier<\/a><\/p>\n

–> Detroit Pistons acquire future second-round pick from Kings in Dennis Schr\u00f6der sign-and-trade<\/a><\/p>\n

–> Detroit Pistons acquire former Michigan basketball star Duncan Robinson in sign-and-trade with Heat<\/a><\/p>\n

–> Detroit Pistons sign former Michigan basketball star Caris LeVert to multi-year deal<\/a><\/p>\n

–> Detroit Pistons shooting guard Malik Beasley\u2019s $42M deal on hold amid gambling allegations<\/a><\/p>\n

–> Detroit Pistons select Tennessee guard Chaz Lanier with No. 37 overall pick in NBA draft<\/a><\/p>\n

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