With the 2025 NBA draft now officially complete, the Pistons move on to their next order of business: the Las Vegas Summer League. This will be an opportunity for last year’s draft picks, Ron Holland II and Bobi Klintman, and this year’s second-round pick, Chaz Lanier, to showcase their skills and development. In order to set those guys up, the Pistons just signed one of the best playmakers in the NCAA last season, who also happened to be teammates with Lanier.
The Pistons made a flurry of additions and Zeigler will help organize them into an offense.
PG will add chemistry to the Pistons' Summer League roster
Zakai Zeigler started at point guard for the Tennessee Volunteers for the last three years and finished 5th in NCAA Division I last year in assists per game. Over his 4-year college career, he became the school’s all-time leader in both assists and steals. Zeigler also ranks 3rd on the SEC’s all-time assists list.
Just as importantly, Zeigler assisted on many of Lanier’s shots last year. This chemistry can help Lanier succeed in the summer league and give the Pistons a better evaluation of what he can potentially do in the NBA. Especially for a movement shooter like Lanier, it will be very helpful to get set up by a teammate who already knows exactly where and how he likes to get the ball in his first taste of professional basketball.
Ziegler’s presence can also help the rest of the summer league team thrive, including the leaders from last year’s draft. Ron Holland II had a very promising rookie year and contributed positively to the Pistons’ resurgence. Fans are excited to see what kind of progress the young forward can make, and if he can expand beyond a defensive stopper and high-energy role player. Bobi Klintman did not receive much playing time on the Pistons last year but still has a ton of potential as an athletic power forward with an improving jumper and skillset.
Neither Holland nor Klintman have shown strong playmaking tendencies in the past so Ziegler’s passing can help them get baskets in the flow of the game rather than relying on isolation. Scoring off a pass from an elite playmaker is also more realistic to the role they would play in the actual NBA season.
Unfortunately Ziegler’s small statue (he is only 5’9”) will likely prevent him from getting a real shot in the NBA, but he can still play an important role in the Pistons Summer League. He has the chance to show his own skills and help the Pistons get a good evaluation of their other young talent as well.