The Detroit Pistons and Milwaukee Bucks completed a small trade that later morphed into a larger transaction. Caris LeVert was sent to Milwaukee in exchange for Taurean Prince and Gary Harris. The Bucks also received a pair of second-round draft picks while the deal created a $7.2 million trade exception for the Pistons, per ESPN’s Shams Charania.
The Detroit Pistons are trading Caris LeVert and two second-round picks to the Milwaukee Bucks for Taurean Prince and Gary Harris, sources tell ESPN. Pistons will create a trade exception from the deal and savings while Bucks acquire LeVert and pick up assets. pic.twitter.com/J615WaNmGA
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 7, 2026
Pistons and Bucks Exchange Reserve Shooting Guards In Trade
Levert, on an expiring $14.89 million deal, was expected to be traded by Detroit this summer, as he was one of the Pistons’ top trade chips as they look to build on last season. The 31-year-old had the worst season of his 10-year career in his lone campaign in the Motor City, averaging 7.4 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 2.7 assists. He also drained one 3-pointer with shooting splits of 41.7/33.3/67.9.
LeVert projects to get some run off the bench for the Bucks due to his defensive versatility and scoring ability. LeVert can guard four positions, though he is at his best on the wing. He is a slashing scorer who is a solid ball-handler and playmaker out of pick-and-rolls. While he can knock down open three-pointers, he is inconsistent from the perimeter, shooting 34.3% from beyond the arc for his career.
With this trade, Milwaukee gets down to 15 players on standard contracts. The Bucks added $7.2 million to their ledger, and now their cap number sits at $171.1 million. Thus. leaving them $28.9 million below the tax line.
The Bucks also have all three of their two-way spots filled: Kam Jones, Rafael Castro, and Cormac Ryan. The Bucks have seven first-round selections from 2027-2033. However, the two 2027 second-round choices from Detroit give them a total of four second-day selections over the next eight seasons.
Update in here on the picks:
– Bucks get their own second-rounder in 2027 back from the Pistons and then the least favorable of the Dallas Mavericks’ and Brooklyn Nets’ second-round picks in 2027 as well. https://t.co/ESWk1d9CaJ— Eric Nehm (@eric_nehm) July 8, 2026
Pistons Have Roster Decisions To Make
While this Bucks-Pistons trade technically involved two teams, it was officially part of a larger six-team transaction that included John Collins and Isaiah Stewart, among others.
Dallas is sending Middleton to the Wizards via sign-and-trade as part of a larger six-team deal that includes, in total, the Mavericks, Wizards, Clippers, Pistons, Bucks and Grizzlies. It involves previously agreed upon deals such as John Collins, Gary Harris and Taurean Prince… https://t.co/bgmC8NoSup
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 8, 2026
Harris’ production has slowly declined over the last four seasons. The 31-year-old, who is on an expiring $3.8 million contract, is coming off the worst campaign of his career, averaging just 2.7 points, 1.3 rebounds, and 1.1 assists over 14 minutes in 48 appearances.
Harris’ status with the Pistons is up in the air. The Pistons now have 15 players on standard contracts, and that doesn’t include restricted free agent Jalen Duren. While they won’t have to make an official decision until opening night, Harris figures to be the odd man out.
Meanwhile, Prince played well after returning from a major neck injury. Prince averaged 9.2 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.8 assists in 23.5 minutes over 26 games this past season. Known as a “3-and-D” wing, the 32-year-old also knocked down 2.3 threes at 43.5% from beyond the arc.
Prince is a complementary addition for the Pistons, who figure to see some time off the bench. Prince is a floor-spacer with a career average of 1.7 threes at 38.7% and is capable of playing both forward spots and the 2. He thrives in catch-and-shoot situations and is a solid role defender.
Prince is on an expiring $3.8 million deal. With the money the Pistons saved, they are now $46.3 million below the tax line. Leaving them plenty of room to give Duren the money he wants.
Detroit has filled both of its two-way spots with Isaac Jones and Ugonna Onyenso. The Pistons have all seven of their future first-round picks and 11 second-round selections.
Photo Credit: Rick Osentoski, Imagn Images via Reuters Connect
