Pistons' Chaz Lanier assessing growth in Las Vegas beyond box score

Las Vegas — Chaz Lanier understands what it means to walk into a new situation and try to establish himself on a professional level. His experience took place during the 2025-26 campaign, when he spent his rookie season learning as the Detroit Pistons' second-round pick of the 2025 NBA Draft.

Lanier understands that he is still far from establishing himself as a veteran leader as he prepares for his second season in Detroit. While in Las Vegas for the Pistons' 2026 NBA Summer League, however, he has embraced the role of a vocal leader for a group of players in a situation similar to the one he faced over the past nine months.

Leadership is one of the key attributes he aims to emphasize during the Summer League tournament, especially for Detroit's current rookie class of Ebuka Okorie and Ugonna Onyenso.

"I just want to come out here and be a leader...I've been telling all the young guys to be themselves, not to change who they are, and to keep having fun. It is the same game you have been playing your whole life, and nothing is different," Lanier said. "Be open to learning and continue growing. You will have a chance to get something from everyone. So, soak it all up and continue to be you."

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Lanier's advice to be true to oneself and learn from experienced veterans is one reason the former Tennessee prospect believes he will be a key piece for what the Pistons will need next season.

Lanier has developed an offseason workout program inspired by his success during his rookie year in the G League. Last year, he played a key role in helping the Motor City Cruise recover from a slow start to the season and reach the playoffs, during which he averaged 18.6 points per game on 45.8% shooting from the field and 39.7% from 3-point range.

"I feel like the opportunity I had to play with the Cruise, I really wanted to take advantage of it," Lanier said. "Go out there and play free. I want to use that year as a building block while I continue to work and grow my game."

The Pistons' Summer League opener against the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday night gave Lanier a chance to showcase how his skills have developed over the previous year. During the 101-93 loss, however, Lanier's performance left much to be desired.

He finished the game shooting 4-of-11 from the field, 1-of-6 from behind the arc for 12 points. Although a better shooting performance might have helped the Pistons avoid defeat in their tournament opener, Lanier believes that statistics cannot fully capture his growth in Las Vegas. Instead, Lanier has emphasized the importance of his development as a movement shooter and of making the most of his time on the court as an off-ball threat.

It's the best way for him to assess how successful he has been in applying lessons learned from Duncan Robinson, whom he modeled his game after the previous year, given their on-court similarities.

"I took a lot from Duncan, that's one of my vets," Lanier said. "He has been great. I am always bouncing questions off him to see what he is thinking. I am always working out with him. He has been doing this for a long time. I've been taking a ton of notes from him."

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Despite struggling with his shot inside Cox Pavilion, Lanier views his performance against the 76ers as a success. He believes he was able to demonstrate the important yet often overlooked aspects of the game that aren't reflected in the box score.

He believes that his experience as a rookie has helped him discover his voice as a leader, which he aims to use to support the young players in Las Vegas. He is also committed to putting his principles into practice, especially regarding his opportunity to establish a genuine role in the Pistons' rotation for the upcoming season.

"I've been working hard all summer, taking all of the right steps in the right direction. Now, it is all about coming out here in Summer League and handling business, and then, from there, training camp," Lanier said. "Not to look too far ahead, but staying in the moment while continuing to get better, listening to what the coaches need from me."

coty.davis@detroitnews.com

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This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Pistons' Chaz Lanier assessing growth in Las Vegas beyond box score