Detroit Pistons guard Chaz Lanier caught absolute fire from deep on Monday night, draining eight 3-pointers in a Summer League showdown against the New York Knicks. The second-year player out of Tennessee put on a clinic, leading all scorers with 24 points, every single one of them coming from beyond the arc. That's 80% from downtown! Talk about a statement game, even if the Pistons did fall 86-75 to the Knicks.
From Depth Role to Deep Threat?
Lanier, a 2025 NBA Draft pick at 37th overall, spent his rookie year last season in a depth role. He played 34 games, averaging a modest 2.4 points in 7.7 minutes per game, still waiting for his first career start. But this summer? It's a whole different story for his perimeter game. He started off a bit cold against the Philadelphia 76ers, hitting only 1 of 6 from deep. Then he found his rhythm, connecting on 7 of 12 against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Now, after this Knicks game, his overall Summer League numbers are looking spicy: 17-for-30 from 3-point range, a scorching 56.7% shooting percentage!Fighting For Floor Time
The road ahead isn't easy for Lanier to secure more minutes next season. The Pistons brought in Stanford guard Ebuka Okorie in the 2026 NBA Draft, adding more competition to the backcourt. Plus, they traded for veteran Gary Harris from the Milwaukee Bucks, sending Caris LeVert their way. It's a crowded depth chart, no doubt. But if Lanier can keep this kind of production rolling, consistently lighting it up from deep, it absolutely has to open the door for a much bigger role with the squad. What's next for Lanier and the Pistons in Summer League? We'll be watching to see if he keeps knocking down those nukes!This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.