Chaz

Lanier

One day after shooting 7-of-12 from beyond the arc in a win over the Cavaliers, Lanier hit eight three-pointers on Monday. Now 15-of-24 over the last two games, it’s fair to wonder if the 2025 second-round pick has seen his last game action of the summer. And if that’s the case, Lanier made an excellent case for himself competing for rotation minutes when training camp opens in the fall. Detroit made some moves this offseason to improve its offensive spacing, including the acquisition of Isaiah Joe. However, Lanier showed in summer league that a potential solution to those issues may already have been on the roster.

Detroit drafted Lanier last summer, but he only made 34 appearances as a rookie, shooting 31.5 percent from the floor and 28.4 percent from deep. He was more effective in the G League, but his path to rotation minutes in the NBA is spacing the floor. If he isn’t hitting shots, he isn’t going to make much of an impact in other ways. He’ll need to shoot much better this summer than he did in this game.

LeVert will return on Wednesday after sitting out Monday’s loss to the Magic. Chaz Lanier, who struggled in 16 minutes of action the last time out, is likely to fall out of the rotation entirely.

Absent from the Pistons’ initial injury report, LeVert may sit due to bilateral knee injury management. If he can’t play, this may be a spot where rookie Chaz Lanier plays more minutes. The first-round pick has not cracked the Pistons’ rotation this season, which is unsurprising, given the team’s youth and depth on the wings.

Holland is on the injury report, but with a probable tag, it’s more likely he plays on Friday than not. With Caris LeVert (illness) listed as doubtful, rookie Chaz Lanier could sneak into the back end of the Pistons’ rotation if Holland can’t play. Even if that happens, Lanier should only be rostered in dynasty leagues.

LeVert is back after sitting out Monday’s overtime win over the Wizards. His return means less playing time for first-round pick Chaz Lanier, who logged 27 minutes the last time out.

LeVert is in danger of sitting out the second leg of Detroit’s back-to-back set, and with Isaiah Stewart (knee) and Tobias Harris (knee) sidelined and Ausar Thompson (ankle) questionable, Detroit may have to dig deep down the depth chart to field tonight’s roster. Guys like Daniss Jenkins, Chaz Lanier and Bobi Klintman could see increased run, though none of those players is worth streaming in standard fantasy leagues.

LeVert is available for the first time since the preseason, giving the Pistons much-needed depth on the perimeter. Daniss Jenkins and Chaz Lanier will likely lose out on some playing time with LeVert available, but this will not impact fantasy basketball. While he isn’t a must-roster player, LeVert is worth watching due to Detroit’s lack of supplementary playmakers.

Neither LeVert nor Sasser has appeared in Detroit’s last three games, with the latter being out since the preseason. Their absences have freed up rotation minutes for Daniss Jenkins and Chaz Lanier, but neither has been productive enough to merit being streamed. That will remain the case if LeVert and Sasser remain out on Wednesday.

LeVert has missed the Pistons’ last two games, including Sunday’s win over the Celtics. While his return would give Detroit additional depth on the wing, it would not significantly impact fantasy basketball. Rookie Chaz Lanier appeared in the two games LeVert missed but only totaled 17 minutes. There’s no need to roster Lanier in a redraft league, regardless of LeVert’s availability.