Massive NBA trade sees Pistons pick up Taurean Prince, Khris Middleton return to Wizards
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It wouldn't be a proper NBA offseason without a convoluted, six-team trade that sends multiple players to new teams.
It wouldn't be a proper NBA offseason without a convoluted, six-team trade that sends multiple players to new teams.
The Detroit Pistons continue to make roster moves to bolster their team after concluding the 2025-26 season with a seven-game series loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Their latest move has them parting ways with 10-year veteran guard Caris LeVert.
The Pistons traded LeVert and two second-round picks to the Milwaukee Bucks for Taurean Prince and Gary Harris, according to ESPN.
The deal allows Detroit to save money and creates a trade exception, while the Bucks will acquire LeVert and pick up additional assets.
Clutch Points insider Brett Siegel reported that the Pistons freed up roughly $7 million in extra funds needed to complete their recent transactions. The simple cost-cutting maneuver by the Pistons is expected to go toward signing restricted free agent Jalen Duren.
Detroit currently has $39 million in pending outgoing salaries between LeVert and Isaiah Stewart, who was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies in exchange for three future second-round draft picks.
The Pistons have been making moves to clear cap space since the summer period began. The Stewart trade allowed Detroit to clear $30 million off its cap for free agency. In exchange, Memphis acquired a defensive-minded frontcourt piece. The big man plays physical, intimidating defense.
As for the Bucks' assets, they now own seven first-round picks and four second-round picks, as they continue to rebuild in the post-Giannis Antetokounmpo era.
Six-team trade to connect everything
The Bucks-Pistons trade was important for other teams and players involved. Ultimately, it connected one trade to another to make several transactions possible.
According to ESPN, free agent Khris Middleton agreed to a three-year, $17.6 million deal with the Washington Wizards. The deal is a sign-and-trade involving the Dallas Mavericks, who had acquired Middleton from the Wizards ahead of the trade deadline in February.
That's all part of a larger six-team deal.
The teams included are: the Mavericks, Wizards, Pistons, Bucks, Grizzlies and Los Angeles Clippers.
The Wizards are sending D'Angelo Russell, a future second-round pick and a future second-round pick swap to the Grizzlies, according to ESPN.
Nearly a week ago, the Pistons made a move to sign John Collins as a free agent on a three-year, $51 million contract. The six-team trade helps to solidify the move.
A look at the six-team trade
Here's where players went as a result of the six-team swap:
Dallas Mavericks
Receive: Santi Aldama
Lose: Khris Middleton
Detroit Pistons
Receive: John Collins, Gary Harris and Taurean Prince
Lose: Isaiah Stewart, Caris LeVert, two second-round picks
Los Angeles Clippers
Receive:Noplayers
Lose: John Collins
Milwaukee Bucks
Receive: Caris LeVert, two second-round picks
Lose: Taurean Prince and Gary Harris
Memphis Grizzlies
Receive: Isaiah Stewart, D'Angelo Russell, a future second-round pick, future second-round pick swap
Lose: Santi Aldama
Washington Wizards
Receive: Khris Middleton
Lose: D'Angelo Russell, a future second-round pick, future second-round pick swap
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY Sports: Massive NBA trade sees Pistons pick up Taurean Prince, Khris Middleton return to Wizards