Detroit Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff talks with guard Malik Beasley (5) during the game against the Toronto Raptors in the third quarter at Little Caesars Arena.
Detroit Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff talks with guard Malik Beasley (5) during the game against the Toronto Raptors in the third quarter at Little Caesars Arena. | Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images
The NBA Finals are almost here as June begins, meaning it'll only be a matter of time before offseason action heats up around the Association. The 2025 NBA draft is coming up at the end of the month with free agency beginning shortly after that. Needless to say, the next few weeks are crucial for each team's offseason planning, and the Detroit Pistons aren't an exception.
Free agency will likely be the Pistons' biggest obstacle this offseason. Veteran guards Dennis Schroder, Malik Beasley, and Tim Hardaway Jr. are all on expiring deals and will become unrestricted free agents in July. As tough as it'd be to see any of those names go, chances are not all three will be re-signed this summer.
Fortunately, the Pistons have the NBA draft to search for replacements if any of their pending UFAs are too pricey to bring back.
Pistons Will Host Tennessee's Chaz Lanier for Workout on Monday
The latest draft-related news surrounding the Pistons reveals that the front office is already preparing for the possibility of their backcourt losing names this offseason. According to the Detroit Free Press' Omari Sankofa II, Detroit will be hosting Tennessee guard Chaz Lanier for a pre-draft workout on Monday.
This month's No. 37 pick is the only selection the Pistons hold in the 2025 NBA draft, and Lanier — who's currently ESPN's 37th-ranked prospect — could be available when they're on the clock.
Lanier, 23, is a 6-foot-4, 200-pound sharpshooter who's coming off a strong performance with the Volunteers. After transferring from North Florida to Tennessee, the Nashville native averaged 18.0 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.1 assists, and 0.9 steals in 38 outings last season, earning SEC Newcomer of the Year and third-team All-American honors.
That's without mentioning his winning the Jerry West Award as college basketball's top shooting guard.
The Pistons will need a sharpshooter if Hardaway and/or Beasley leave the Motor City, and the right coaching could see Lanier filling either veteran's void. The promising prospect averaged 3.3 threes on an A-Sun-leading 44.0% shooting in 2023-24 and followed that up with 3.2 threes made with a 39.5 3P% with the Vols this past season.
Even though he'll likely face some hiccups as he acclimates to the NBA environment, Lanier is a great option for the Pistons if they want to secure the future of their guard position. Cade Cunningham is already signed through 2029-30 while Jaden Ivey and Marcus Sasser could also be around for the next few seasons, making Lanier the missing piece of the puzzle.
The Pistons' interest in Lanier will be clearer after his workout finishes. The 2025 NBA draft will take place in Brooklyn, NY, beginning on Wednesday, June 25.
More Detroit Pistons News & Rumors:
Home/Detroit Pistons