Pistons trade Caris LeVert and picks to Bucks to create salary space

Pistons trade Caris LeVert and picks to Bucks to create salary space

The Detroit Pistons continued a wide-ranging roster overhaul on Tuesday, July 7, trading forward Caris LeVert and two second-round draft picks to the Milwaukee Bucks. In exchange, Detroit receives forward Taurean Prince and guard Gary Harris.

The move is part of a massive six-team transaction including the Bucks, Dallas Mavericks, Washington Wizards, Memphis Grizzlies, and Los Angeles Clippers. As part of this larger construct, the Mavericks are sending Khris Middleton back to Washington in a sign-and-trade, and the Pistons have processed trades to acquire former Clippers power forward John Collins and send Isaiah Stewart to the Grizzlies.

Financial Maneuvering and Cap Space

The trade serves as a salary swap designed to provide Detroit with immediate financial flexibility. The Pistons save roughly $7.2 million in the deal and will generate a trade exception worth $15 million, which is the same amount as Isaiah Stewart's outgoing salary for 2026-27. This exception acts as a voucher, allowing the team to acquire another player worth up to that amount without requiring cap space.

According to NBA cap expert Keith Smith, trimming more than $7 million from the books has carved out approximately $42.8 million in cap room under the luxury tax. This provides the Pistons the ability to accommodate a maximum contract for restricted free agent Jalen Duren. Prior to being named third-team All-NBA, Duren was eligible for a 25% max contract valued at $239 million over five seasons, starting at $41.2 million next season.

For Milwaukee, the trade involves taking on more immediate salary. LeVert is making $14.8 million, but his contract is expiring. This addition gives the Bucks $75.5 million in expiring contracts, combining LeVert with Tyler Herro ($33 million), Kyle Kuzma ($20.4 million), and Kevin Porter Jr. ($5.3 million). Such flexibility is necessary as the Bucks carry $22.5 million in "dead" money on Damian Lillard’s contract through the 2029-30 season.

Player Impact and Roster Changes

The Pistons bring in two veterans on expiring $3.8 million contracts. Taurean Prince, 32, is a career 38.7% shooter from 3-point range. Though a neck injury limited him to 26 games last season, he averaged 9.2 points in 23.5 minutes per appearance. Gary Harris, who turns 32 in September, appeared in 48 games last season for Milwaukee, averaging 2.7 points in 13.8 minutes.

LeVert, a Michigan alumnus and the No. 20 overall pick in the 2016 draft, spent one year in Detroit after signing a two-year, $28.9 million contract in 2025. Last season, he averaged 7.4 points in 60 games off the bench. He played in 13 of 14 playoff games for coach J.B. Bickerstaff, helping the Pistons win a first-round series for the first time since 2008.

The Bucks also acquire draft assets to replenish their cupboard. The deal includes two 2027 second-round picks: Milwaukee's own pick and the less favorable of either Brooklyn's or Dallas's. This is significant as the Bucks had no picks in next year's draft following trades for Jrue Holiday and Patrick Beverley.

A Busy Offseason for Detroit

The trade follows a series of aggressive moves by Detroit after finishing last season 60-22, the third-best record in franchise history. Other recent transactions include:

• Trading up to No. 17 overall in the NBA Draft to select Stanford guard Ebuka Okorie.
• Trading Isaiah Stewart to the Grizzlies for three future second-round picks.
• Purchasing the No. 53 pick from the New York Knicks to draft Virginia center Ugonna Onyenso.
• Acquiring guard Isaiah Joe from the Oklahoma City Thunder.
• Re-signing wing Kevin Huerter and wing Javonte Green.

The team did lose its second-leading playoff scorer when Tobias Harris agreed to a two-year deal with the San Antonio Spurs.

Third-year president of basketball operations Trajan Langdon stated he is building around a core three consisting of Cade Cunningham, Ausar Thompson, and Jalen Duren, with a focus on adding ball-handling and shooting. With the roster currently at 17 players, the Pistons must make at least two more moves to meet the 15-player league limit. Jalen Duren remains a restricted free agent as the team looks to finalize its 2026-27 rotation.