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

[Rip32]

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.

[bstein14]

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.

He's getting sent to the G League because we don't have a game for a while. It'll get him some reps down there, and now Sasser is also back.

He's looked ok in his minutes but overall you rarely ever get good rotation players drafted in the 2nd round.

[MotownMadness]

I mean he’s a second rounder

[whitehops]

He's getting sent to the G League because we don't have a game for a while. It'll get him some reps down there, and now Sasser is also back.

He's looked ok in his minutes but overall you rarely ever get good rotation players drafted in the 2nd round.

he's not in the current rotation so they just want him to get some playing time, it happens to a lot of young players. i mean daniss jenkins spent the vast majority of last season with the cruise so it's hardly a death sentence lol.

i was super high on him during the pre-draft process, i still believe in his shot and ability to be a rosterable player, even if he doesn't crack the top 10 rotation.

[zeebneeb]

Sites like Pistons powered are trash, click-bait sites now. Always trying to get eyeballs, with idiotic, low IQ headlines. I am certain, that the 19-5, East leading, second best record in the league Pistons, do not have "growing remorse" over drafting Lanier.

The two examples they used are from trash teams (Warriors/Mavericks) that can afford more playtime to their rookies, as they need help. Any help.

Avoid Pistonpowered at all costs.

[flow]

Sites like Pistons powered are trash, click-bait sites now. Always trying to get eyeballs, with idiotic, low IQ headlines. I am certain, that the 19-5, East leading, second best record in the league Pistons, do not have "growing remorse" over drafting Lanier.

The two examples they used are from trash teams (Warriors/Mavericks) that can afford more playtime to their rookies, as they need help. Any help.

Avoid Pistonpowered at all costs.

I agree that the article headline is rubbish.

That being said, Lanier's greatest (only) asset is one of this squad's biggest deficiencies. So it is at least noteworthy that he's not making a dent and has been sent down.

I'm also pretty sure that Nembhard, with how he's balling, would have found his way to PT with us, considering our glaring hole at point guard. Jenkins has, after all.

.

[Snakebites]

Would have been nice to get a second rounder who could contribute. But in two years, it's nothing you can count on.

Just because there are a couple of successful ones each year doesn't mean you're statistically likely to get one.

This isn't really a story.

[Kalamazoo317]

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

[flow]

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.

.

[VicVinegar]

He's a second rounder. Hope for the best for him but if he never plays an NBA game again, it's no big deal.

[DetroitSho]

He's a second rounder. Hope for the best for him but if he never plays an NBA game again, it's no big deal.

Literally this. Good to see people finally came to reality on Klintman too tho.

Sent from my SM-S918U using RealGM mobile app

[chrbal]

Adding Langdon and some good luck tripled our win total, we’re currently 19-5. 2nd round picks hardly hit, if that’s his biggest issue I can live with it

By the way Jenkins is averaging about 8 points and 4 assists per game with a solid assist to turnover ratio. Waiver claim Paul Reed does pretty well when he plays. And last minute free agent signing Javonte Green has played pretty well.

But yeah, 2nd rounders…..

[Dark-Oh]

So far, I'd say Langdon has done a great job evaluating unappreciated talent. Green, Reed, and Jenkins are examples of acquiring impact players who other teams didn't get. Holland is a work in progress, but has a high ceiling if he can improve his handle and become an accurate mid range shooter.

Klintman and Lanier not getting significant minutes is not entirely a reflection of their abilities. Young guys always struggle to get PT when competing against skilled vets at their position.

[Cowology]

He's a second rounder. Hope for the best for him but if he never plays an NBA game again, it's no big deal.

Literally this. Good to see people finally came to reality on Klintman too tho.

Sent from my SM-S918U using RealGM mobile app

Yeah, you can *try* and add depth, but you know the vast majority of 2nds will never pan out.

Teams with multiple 2nd rounders in a single draft are trying to double or tripple their odds in the hopes that maybe *one* of those picks actually pan out and it's still a long shot.

A year or two ago we saw this wierd surge in trade value because 1st rounders where so scarce. Teams throwing 3-4 around in trades like their 3 quarters equalled a dollar but teams only gotta hit on 1.

[NYPiston]

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.

Lol, what? They're 2nd round picks on a very deep team where legit NBA players can't even get many minutes. I don't get the beef here, bored because of the gap in the Pistons schedule?

[NYPiston]

I agree that the article headline is rubbish.

That being said, Lanier's greatest (only) asset is one of this squad's biggest deficiencies. So it is at least noteworthy that he's not making a dent and has been sent down.

I'm also pretty sure that Nembhard, with how he's balling, would have found his way to PT with us, considering our glaring hole at point guard. Jenkins has, after all.

.

It's not noteworthy at all. He's a 2nd round pick rookie on one of the deepest rosters in the NBA, nothing more to it than that. It has nothing to do with need, the Pistons are a really good team with no room on the roster so he's better off getting playing time in the G League right now. Who does Lanier bump out of the lineup in your mind? If the Pistons look for shooting help down the line they'll bring in a proven player to help now, Lanier just isn't there yet and that's fine.

Also, is the shooting that bad? They have three guys in Levert, Robinson and Ivey that are over 40% from three, Harris is near 38%.
Cade is one of who is bringing down the average, shooting well below his career norm. I don't think it's a major issue currently although, yes, they could probably use another sharpshooter.

[flow]

I agree that the article headline is rubbish.

That being said, Lanier's greatest (only) asset is one of this squad's biggest deficiencies. So it is at least noteworthy that he's not making a dent and has been sent down.

I'm also pretty sure that Nembhard, with how he's balling, would have found his way to PT with us, considering our glaring hole at point guard. Jenkins has, after all.

.

It's not noteworthy at all. He's a 2nd round pick rookie on one of the deepest rosters in the NBA, nothing more to it than that. It has nothing to do with need, the Pistons are a really good team with no room on the roster so he's better off getting playing time in the G League right now. Who does Lanier bump out of the lineup in your mind? If the Pistons look for shooting help down the line they'll bring in a proven player to help now, Lanier just isn't there yet and that's fine.

No one. Because he's not good enough. That's the point. Yes, we're a good team that's playing well, with some depth. But let's not go overboard and pretend there's no room for improvement of this roster.

.

[NYPiston]

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?

[flow]

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.

.

[Billl]

Obviously, the second round is a crap shoot. It's fair to point out that he doesn't look like he's going to be one of the few 2nd round contributors - at least not in his first year. If he was looking good, people would be thrilled to point that out.

Does that mean langdon can't draft? No, it's rare to find a second round gem and being 0-2 in that department isn't a sign of anything other than you didn't get lucky.