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Pistons Predicted to Pick Up ‘Premier Shooter’ in NBA Mock Draft

Will the Pistons take on a valuable high-volume shooter with their second-round pick on Thursday?
Justin Grasso|
Mar 28, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers guard Chaz Lanier (2) shoots the ball against the Kentucky Wildcats in the second half during a Midwest Regional semifinal of the 2025 NCAA tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images
Mar 28, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers guard Chaz Lanier (2) shoots the ball against the Kentucky Wildcats in the second half during a Midwest Regional semifinal of the 2025 NCAA tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images | Robert Goddin-Imagn Images

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Detroit Pistons

Soon, the Detroit Pistons will go on the clock for their first and only pick this summer. It’s been a real change of pace for the franchise, which typically looks forward to the NBA Draft Lottery.

Since the Pistons owed their protected pick to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday night, they have to wait until No. 37 to go on the clock.

Who will they take? The Athletic’s Sam Vecenie predicts no surprises. It’s Chaz Lanier.

“Lanier is one of the draft’s premier shooters, having taken more shots off screens this year than any player in college basketball and converting them at a solid clip,” Vecenie writes. “…[He’s] seen as a very real potential floor spacer at the NBA level. He has a real shot at being a guaranteed deal.”

Dubbed as a “late bloomer” at the college level, Lanier spent most of his NCAA career at North Florida. He wasn’t even a full-time starter until his junior season.

When Lanier’s minutes exceeded an average of 30 in 2023-2024, his production skyrocketed. The guard produced 20 points per game while shooting 44 percent from three.

For his senior season, Lanier moved to the SEC, playing for Tennessee. In 38 games, he averaged 18 points, four rebounds, and one assist. From the field, Lanier knocked down 43 percent of his shots. He attempted eight threes per game, shooting from long range at a 40 percent clip.

The Pistons can never have enough floor-spacers to put out on the court alongside Cade Cunningham. Malik Beasley showed just how valuable a high-volume three-point shooter could be in JB Bickerstaff’s system. Lanier fits the mold and could be a valuable second-round addition.

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Justin Grasso
JUSTIN GRASSO

Justin Grasso was a credentialed writer and publisher covering the Philadelphia 76ers for Sports Illustrated’s 76ers On SI Network. Grasso got his start in sports media in 2016 with FantasyPros, working the news desk, providing game-by-game player analysis and updates on the Portland Trail Blazers and the Golden State Warriors. By 2017, he joined FanSided’s Philadelphia Eagles site as a staff writer. After spending one season covering the Eagles as a staff writer, Grasso was promoted to become the site’s Co-Editor. For the next two NFL seasons, he covered the Eagles closely before broadening his NFL coverage. For a brief stint, Grasso covered the NFL on a national basis after joining Heavy.com as an NFL news desk writer. In 2019, Grasso joined the 76ers' beat on a part-time basis, stepping into a role with South Jersey’s 97.3 ESPN. Ahead of the 2019-2020 NBA season, he concluded a three-year stint covering the Eagles and joined the Sixers beat full-time. Grasso has covered the 76ers exclusively since then for Sports Illustrated. He is a member of the Pro Basketball Writers Association. Twitter: @JGrasso_ Instagram: @JGrassoMedia

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