The Pistons have added a dynamic shooter to their roster. With their second-round pick in the NBA Draft, No. 37 overall, the Pistons selected Tennessee guard Chaz Lanier on Thursday night.
Lanier was an All-American last season at Tennessee -- and the Jerry West Award winner as the top shooting guard in the country -- when he averaged 18.0 points per game and shot just under 40 percent from three. He shot just over 40 percent during his five-year college career, spending his first four seasons at North Florida.
"One of the best shooters in this draft, with the ability to come off screens with deep range," says NBA Draft expert Jonathan Givony. "Also has good physical tools at 6'5 with a 6'9 wingspan."
Lanier is 23 years old, with an NBA physique. He could play his way onto the floor for the Pistons next season as a "polished, NBA-ready shooter with the strength, maturity, and basketball IQ to step into a rotation role quickly," per NBADraft.net.
His combination of efficient scoring, toughness, and veteran presence will appeal to playoff-caliber teams looking for bench shooting and spacing. While he lacks the upside of younger lottery prospects, his floor is relatively high thanks to his proven shot-making and physical tools.
The Pistons are coming off their best season in nearly two decades, led by a rising young core headlined by Cade Cunningham. Lanier might not be a star in the NBA, but he can certainly find a role in Detroit.