The Detroit Pistons acquired Gary Harris and Taurean Prince from the Milwaukee Bucks as part of a massive six-team trade recently
Five days ago, the Detroit Pistons announced that their trade with the Milwaukee Bucks was finalized, which was a deal that sent veteran Caris LeVert to their Central Division rival in exchange for Taurean Prince and Gary Harris. In totality, that trade was part of a much larger six-team deal that easily qualified as the NBA’s most voluminous transaction this offseason.
For Harris, a 6-4 guard who’s been in the league for 12 years already, being traded to the Pistons not only represents the next chapter of his professional story, but it also offers an opportunity for him to retrace some integral steps in his development from over a decade ago.
”I was happy,” Harris said yesterday during Detroit’s Summer League game. “I was so happy. It was just like coming back home. I went to Michigan State, so just being back in the state of Michigan, I have so much love for the state of Michigan and being able to come back and represent Detroit and family’s close, so I’m looking forward to it, for sure.”
Last year, Harris spent his first and only season with the Bucks, though it was a lackluster campaign from a team perspective considering the injuries to Giannis Antetokounmpo and the near incessant trade rumors regarding the superstar. Regardless of that situation, Harris featured in 48 games for Milwaukee but only logged 13.8 minutes per game and posted a career-low in terms of points per game, so it was likely a stretch that the former Spartan would like to put behind him.
Now that Harris is in a new environment with the Pistons and physically in Las Vegas where a majority of his new teammates are supporting Detroit’s Summer League squad, the 41.2% three-point shooter from last season is enthusiastic about his new opportunity. When asked what excites him about this scenario, Harris had no shortage of answers.
”Everything,” Harris said. “Getting back to Michigan, playing in Detroit where they’re a playoff contender, playing winning basketball. Whatever they need from me, I’m ready to do it and looking forward to getting there and working with the guys.”
But in the meantime, Harris is stationed in Vegas where he has the unique perspective to bond with a new squad while observing what the next generation of Pistons have to offer.
“It’s almost nostalgic, just coming back here, playing in the Summer League and seeing the young guys play— love it because it’s part of the journey,” Harris said. “For me personally, getting to see this new team, first time getting around everybody in Detroit, it’s been great. Looking forward to seeing the young guys play and connecting with my teammates.”
As the offseason continues to tick along, Harris understands where he’s at in his career, so he’s approaching the summer with a cerebral game plan to prepare for the upcoming 2026-27 campaign.
“Less is more for me right now,” Harris said. “I’ve got a few miles on me, so I’m just trying to stay in shape, get my shots up and just stay sharp but don’t want to overwork just because we have a long season coming up.”
For his career, Harris has connected on three-point shots at a 37% clip, so he could certainly contribute to the Pistons from long-range after Detroit finished just 17th in the NBA for regular season three-point percentage, and he’ll have Prince to lean on as he adjusts to his new-yet-familiar surroundings in the Motor City.
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