The Detroit Pistons finished the Las Vegas Summer League with a 1-4 record. With three of those four losses coming in double digits, it was not a great performance for the Pistons.
However, no one really cares about the Summer League results. It's more about seeing the youngsters and the players on the margins of your roster. In that sense, we got plenty of insight about several Pistons.
Don't expect much from the Pistons' two-way slots
Detroit has Elijah Harkless, Isaac Jones, and Ugonna Onyenso signed to their three two-way slots. Harkless didn't play in Las Vegas, but may have the best chance to contribute to the Pistons next season.
Onyenso, Detroit's 53rd-overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, showed how far he is offensively from being a reliable NBA center. His physical tools and defensive impact are very intriguing, but he needs to improve dramatically on offense, making him an unlikely contributor in his rookie season.
Jones was productive in the Summer League, but it's really difficult to see him have a role with the big club this season. He is an inefficient scorer who takes a lot of shots and doesn't create for others. He is also 26 years old, so the Pistons may be better off going with a younger, higher upside player in his place.
Last season, the Pistons had Daniss Jenkins and Tolu Smith on two-way deals to start the campaign. Jenkins emerged as a rotation-caliber guard, and Smith earned himself a standard deal. It's difficult to imagine any of these two-way players following that path any time soon.
Patience will be key with Ebuka Okorie
The Summer League is more about flashes, and the 19-year-old rookie showed plenty. His 35.6% shooting from the field and 17.4% from three are certainly ugly, but there were things to like in Okorie's five games.
He went by his defenders easily and touched the paint consistently. He played with a ton of effort and intensity defensively. A lot of his struggles can be attributed to strength and physicality, which he should be able to improve upon.
If Pistons fans were expecting Okorie to contribute right away as a rookie, it may be wise to temper those expectations. He still has a lot of upside, but he will need time to put it all together in the NBA.
Chaz Lanier might play more than you think
This will be a make-or-break season for Detroit's second-round pick in the 2025 Draft. And which way it will go will largely depend on whether his shot is falling.
Lanier shot the lights out in Vegas, making 51.1% of his threes on a whopping nine attempts per game. If he can maintain that volume while keeping his accuracy over 40%, Lanier may end up playing more than many Pistons fans think.
Detroit still needs more shooting. Lanier may not do much else, but he can certainly shoot. Kevin Huerter's spot in the rotation is not guaranteed, and unless he starts making shots, he may very well lose his minutes to Lanier.
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