​Five days ago, the Detroit Pistons confirmed the completion of their trade with the Milwaukee Bucks—a deal that sent veteran Caris LeVert to the Bucks in exchange for Taurean Prince and Gary Harris. This move was a piece of a much larger six-team blockbuster that stands out as the NBA’s busiest offseason transaction.
For Gary Harris, a 6-foot-4 guard who has spent 12 seasons in the league, joining the Pistons marks the next chapter of his career and offers a chance to revisit some pivotal steps in his early development from more than a decade ago. “I was happy,” Harris said yesterday during Detroit’s Summer League game. “I was so happy. It felt like coming back home. I went to Michigan State, so just being back in the state of Michigan, I have so much love for Michigan and being able to represent Detroit and have family close by, so I’m looking forward to it, for sure.”
Last year, Harris spent his first and only season with the Bucks. It was a tough campaign for the team, hampered by Giannis Antetokounmpo’s injuries and the persistent chatter about the superstar’s future. Nevertheless, Harris appeared in 48 games for Milwaukee, averaging only 13.8 minutes per contest and posting a career-low in points per game. It’s understandable why the former Spartan would want to put that season behind him.
Now with the Pistons, Harris finds himself in a new setting and physically inside Las Vegas, where many of his new teammates are backing Detroit’s Summer League effort. The 41.2 percent three-point shooter from last season is eager about what this new chapter could hold. When asked what excites him most about this situation, Harris didn’t hesitate.
“Everything,” he replied. “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 I’m looking forward to getting there and working with the guys.”
NBA Summer League thus far has seen Chaz Lanier lead Detroit’s scoring in a nine-point win over the Cleveland Cavaliers, helping the Pistons climb to a .500 mark in the Summer League standings. While Harris works in Las Vegas, he has the rare opportunity to bond with a new group and observe what the next generation of Pistons has to offer.
“It’s almost nostalgic, just coming back here, playing in the Summer League and seeing the young guys play— I love it because it’s part of the journey,” Harris said. “For me personally, getting to see this new team, first time around everybody in Detroit, it’s been great. I’m looking forward to seeing the young guys grow and contribute.”