Pistons regret in drafting Chaz Lanier grows as later draft picks break out

[Uncle Mxy]

Lanier is getting sent to the G-League while other second round picks win multiple league MVPs.

The Pistons announced on Sunday that 2025 draftee Chaz Lanier is being assigned to their G-League affiliate. Even with the team desperately searching for more shooting, which should be Lanier's specialty, he hasn't cracked the rotation. Undrafted players like Duncan Robinson have already established themselves, adding to the Pistons' remorse. Undrafted Ben Wallace and third round pick Bill Laimbeer did not comment, apart from giving this reporter an unpleasant sneer.

These people at Pistons Poopered need to get a life.

[Kalamazoo317]

We're 19-5. We're not "desperate" for anything. And Lanier hasn't cracked the rotation because we're deep as hell.

Just because we play a lot of guys doesn't mean we're deep as hell. We're deep at center, that's it. We're certainly not deep with shooters.

.

With Sasser back we’re 12 deep with solid rotational players in front of him

[bstein14]

I feel like we went with a lower ceiling player. He's old (24 in a few days) and not overly athletic. Duncan Robinson was in a similar spot with what he did in college and went un-drafted and turned himself into having a really solid career so its possible, but he certainly doesn't have the same type of ceiling that a lot of other last 1st and 2nd round picks do in this draft..... and that's why he was still available at our pick.

[SuperBad]

Langdon found Jenkins undrafted that’s already better than most. Lanier is fine for where we drafted him, GS always has a rookie who exceeds expectations until they leave GS and then they tend to fade away.

[Kalamazoo317]

I think the jury is still out on Lanier. I also think whether he makes it or not is pretty low stakes for us right now

[DetroitSho]

No one. Because he's not good enough. That's the point.

You said it's noteworthy. How is a rookie 2nd round pick being sent down by a deep team noteworthy?

It's noteworthy inasmuch as he was our only draft pick, and folks were playing up how much of a steal he was / that he's a first round talent / that he was the best shooter in the draft / that we need his shooting.... and so forth.

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You think it's noteworthy because this fanbase sports wood for every Johnny Try-hard and Unsung guy that comes through here? And in their overzealousness, may actually be a little off base? THAT'S the noteworthy part?

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[LaSheed]

I thought Lanier looked fine in the time he played?

[Mr Peanut]

Trash article. We're deep at the guard positions and have the best record in the East so obviously we're not prioritizing playing a second rounder.

He's played 133 total NBA mins. His 32% from three is 12 makes from 37 attempts. A couple of those misses go in and that 32% is now 38%.

Clearly more sample size is needed and we can't make any conclusions yet.

[whitehops]

Trash article. We're deep at the guard positions and have the best record in the East so obviously we're not prioritizing playing a second rounder.

He's played 133 total NBA mins. His 32% from three is 12 makes from 37 attempts. A couple of those misses go in and that 32% is now 38%.

Clearly more sample size is needed and we can't make any conclusions yet.

true story: once there was a 3-year college player that went undrafted and got signed on a two-way contract. he played most of the season in the g league and in the 15 games he was called up to play in the nba he shot 29% (10 for 35) from 3, despite him being a shooting specialist. fast forward 7 years and he's shot the most 3 point attempts per 100 possessions in league history at a 40% clip. that player is duncan robinson.

sometimes it takes a year or two for rookies to adjust to the league, even if they have an elite skill.

[hoophabit]

Swoosh is just trying to encourage engagement. Here I was thinking Chaz so far has been kind of encouraging. In the three games he's been asked to do anything more than 'get this thing over with,' it's 18 pts, 8 rbs, 5 assists, and 1 steal. He appears willing to compete, mixes it up in the paint, and shares the ball. It's just three games he's been asked to compete. Yeah, he's still a long shot as a 2nd rounder, but "regret" at this point seems premature.

[chrbal]

Looked at the draft again, I don’t see how we regret taking him. Only teams with true regrets are New Orleans and Brooklyn. Pelicans still overpaid for Fears. Brooklyn took 5 players in the first round, 4 of which taken 19th to the 27th pick

[Fennis Dembo]

Swoosh is just trying to encourage engagement. Here I was thinking Chaz so far has been kind of encouraging. In the three games he's been asked to do anything more than 'get this thing over with,' it's 18 pts, 8 rbs, 5 assists, and 1 steal. He appears willing to compete, mixes it up in the paint, and shares the ball. It's just three games he's been asked to compete. Yeah, he's still a long shot as a 2nd rounder, but "regret" at this point seems premature.

Yeah I've been slightly optimistic from the limited amount I've seen.

[dVs33]

He just had 40 in the g league. He might be player after all

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[chrbal]

It’s g league, but it was also 9 3 pointers and he shot like 70% from the field

[tmorgan]

Pure shot, pretty fast release. He can make the league as a bench shooting specialist if he works hard and is lucky (maybe here, maybe elsewhere).

Might even have DR’s career if he’s really fortunate. He’s shorter but a bit quicker.

[theBigLip]

The hit rate on second rounders to be anything substantial is pretty low. Seems like we got someone who has a legit chance to be a rotation player. He’ll need to work on his D to make it happen.

[Snakebites]

He just had 40 in the g league. He might be player after all

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That's just not a good indicator.

Remember Saben Lee's legendary G-League run?

Being able to play hero ball at a lower level of competitoin is indication of little. Call it the Jimmer Fredette effect.

[DetroitSho]

He just had 40 in the g league. He might be player after all

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That's just not a good indicator.

Remember Saben Lee's legendary G-League run?

Being able to play hero ball at a lower level of competitoin is indication of little. Call it the Jimmer Fredette effect.

Saben Lee is just another example of this fanbase having an unhealthy love affair with 12th men.

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[chrbal]

He just had 40 in the g league. He might be player after all

Sent from my Pixel 8 Pro using RealGM mobile app

That's just not a good indicator.

Remember Saben Lee's legendary G-League run?

Being able to play hero ball at a lower level of competitoin is indication of little. Call it the Jimmer Fredette effect.

Saben Lee is just another example of this fanbase having an unhealthy love affair with 12th men.

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Representatives for the fanbases of Scott Hastings, Fennis Dembo, and Darvin Ham would like to have a word with you in private

[hoophabit]

Lanier is getting sent to the G-League while later picks thrive.

The Pistons announced on Sunday that 2025 draftee Chaz Lanier is being assigned to their G-League affiliate. Even with the team desperately searching for more shooting, which should be Lanier's specialty, he hasn't cracked the rotation. Some rookies selected after him (or undrafted) have already established themselves, adding to the Pistons' remorse.
Chaz Lanier has been disappointing so far

In the scant minutes that he does see, Lanier has not performed well. He is shooting just 32% from three, with almost all of his attempts coming from behind the arc. He's also struggled defensively, which has not fit into the Pistons' identity very well. Less potent shooters have gotten minutes over him because of their defensive efforts.

Lanier was selected in the second round with the 37th overall pick, so there wasn't too much talent taken after him but there are some standouts. First is Will Richard, a 6'3" guard selected at #56 overall. Richard has played well for the Warriors and is currently averaging 8 points per game while shooting 53% from the field and 38% from three.

https://pistonpowered.com/pistons-regret-in-drafting-chaz-lanier-grows-as-later-draft-picks-break-out

Is Langdon a great talent evaluator? So far, Klintman and Lanier both have been buried on the bench.

Swoosh recants:

https://pistonpowered.com/pistons-are-quickly-vindicated-for-controversial-rookie-move