2025 NBA Draft Scouting Report for Detroit Pistons No. 37 Pick Chaz Lanier
The Detroit Pistons have selected Chaz Lanier with the No. 37 pick in the 2025 NBA draft.
During a breakout 2023-24 campaign at North Florida, Lanier became one of the biggest mid-major risers in his class. He averaged 19.7 points per game that season, shot over 44 percent from three and earned first-team All-ASUN honors.
As a result, the 23-year-old tested NBA draft waters last summer before ultimately transferring to Tennessee for the 2024-25 season, where he proved he could still score (18.0 PPG) in a more competitive setting.
Lanier's shooting and off-ball movement make him a plug-and-play option at the NBA level.
Of course, he is not a primary creator or standout defender. But his offensive efficiency and maturity should make him an immediate contributor.
Lanier could carve out a long career as a floor-spacing wing assuming his shooting translates. And while entering the league at 23 usually means a lower ceiling, he could also prove to be a more NBA-ready prospect.
Lanier ranks No. 33 on B/R NBA Draft expert Jonathan Wasserman's 2025 Prospect Big Board.
Realistic Pro Comparison: Malik Beasley
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Lanier has the shotmaking confidence to carve out a career similar to current Detroit Pistons guard and former Florida State Seminole Malik Beasley.
Neither are high-level creators or ball-handlers, but like Beasley, Lanier has a chance to be a valued rotation player with his ability to make contested threes and movement jumpers.
Strengths
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- Shooting
- Microwave Scoring
- Length
Lanier is a very strong shooter from deep, but some of the numbers paint him as downright elite. For example, he was second in the nation in points per game scoring off of screens. And he was fourth in the nation in jump-shot points per game.
His special shotmaking and off-ball skills should allow him to carve out a bench role in the right system.
Weaknesses
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- Lack of Playmaking
- Defense
As mentioned, a lack of playmaking won't be a problem for Lanier in a system that utilizes his off-ball skills. But if that doesn't end up being this system for some reason, his use could become questionable without tangible improvement.
Defensively, this team will need to hide Lanier in situations, at least to start his career.
