If there is one guy who could use a breakout Summer League for the Detroit Pistons, it is second-year man Chaz Lanier, whose roster spot is hanging on by a thread.
Lanier was taken in the early stages of the second round of the 2025 Draft, so no one expected him to come in and set the world on fire right away but given the fact that he is already 24 years old, the clock is ticking on his opportunity.
He’s less than two months younger than Cade Cunningham, who will be entering his 6th season in the NBA, while Lanier may be entering his 2nd.
I say “may” because there is a good chance he won’t be on the Pistons’ roster by the time the season rolls around.
Chaz Lanier may have missed his chance
Lanier barely got on the floor last season, mostly appearing in mop-up duty, but he wasn’t particularly impressive when he did play. This is a guy who will need to shoot his way into an NBA rotation, but he only shot 28 percent from long range in his limited chances.
Last season, the Pistons had exactly one elite 3-point threat, and Lanier still wasn’t able to get any run. Things will be different next season, as the Pistons have added a burst of shooting, which will limit Lanier’s opportunities even more.
If he couldn’t play last season, I doubt he’ll be able to in the next one, so Lanier’s window for playing time may already be closed.
He didn’t get off to a great start in Summer League, going just 1-of-6 from long range, and though you can’t make much of SL exhibition games, it would be nice to see a guy who is 24 assert himself a bit more against teenagers and washouts.
Lanier does little but shoot, so if he’s not hitting shots, the Pistons are just wasting a roster spot because he doesn’t do anything else.
Chaz Lanier is buried on the depth chart
If you look at the Pistons depth chart right now, you wouldn’t know Lanier was even on the team, as his name doesn’t make an appearance.
He’s behind Duncan Robinson, Isaiah Joe, Kevin Huerter and Gary Harris, and that’s without factoring in that both Daniss Jenkins and Ebuka Okorie will likely play some time off the ball with Cade Cunningham.
Unless there is a catastrophe, Lanier is buried, and he’s not going to dig himself out throwing up bricks in Summer League.
The Pistons are on the hook for $2.1 million for Lanier next season, so will likely explore trade options, but when those fail, don’t be surprised if the Pistons cut Lanier before next season.
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