The Detroit Pistons already had tough decisions to make on their own free agents that may have been complicated further by their selection of Chaz Lanier in the 2025 NBA Draft.
Malik Beasley, Tim Hardaway Jr., and Dennis Schroder are all free agents and it’s unlikely the Pistons will be able to retain all three, especially after reports that Schroder will likely get an offer of the full MLE from someone.
Beasley, who Lanier gets compared to, is the most likely to return, as there has been expressed mutual interest and he was so important for the Pistons’ renaissance season.
The leaves Tim Hardaway Jr., who I am sure the Pistons would love to have back on a veteran’s minimum if possible, as he too was a solid veteran leader, who was consistent and available.
But you can also look at the Pistons’ roster and see that he might be the odd man out if Lanier can stick.
Detroit Pistons draft: Will Chaz Lanier make the team?
Fans who think Lanier is going to come in and make an immediate impact should probably pump the brakes, though he is a super senior who is already older than all of the Pistons’ core.
If he were to supplant someone in the rotation, the most likely candidate is Marcus Sasser, who appeared in 57 games this season. Sasser was fine in his role, but Trajan Langdon didn’t draft him and may want to go with someone with more size who is a more prolific 3-point shooter.
But Lanier also offers insurance if the Pistons aren’t able to bring back Tim Hardaway Jr., as he can at least space the floor and we know he’ll enter the league with one NBA-ready skill.
The Lanier selection also give the Pistons four guards for next season, and if you add Beasley, that’s suddenly a crowded group with limited minutes to go around.
Of course, Lanier could end up on a two-way contract, in which case the Pistons wouldn’t have to dedicate a roster spot to him, but if he’s on a standard deal, one of their other guards may have to go.
The Pistons could see Lanier and Sasser as cheap alternatives to THJ, which would allow them to invest money in other areas, specifically a stretch four or five, a position they were unable to address in last night’s draft even though there were a few available.
The Pistons had a pre-draft workout with Lanier and obviously liked what they saw, so you do have to wonder if they are factoring him into their roster plans or if he’s viewed as just a two-way guy who won’t be in the rotation.