In a significant shake-up for both teams, Myles Turner is departing the Indiana Pacers after a decade to join forces with the Milwaukee Bucks, as reported by Shams Charania of ESPN. The center agreed to a four-year deal with the Bucks worth $107 million, including a player option for the 2028-29 season and a hefty 15% trade kicker, a move that has certainly stirred the NBA waters.
The Pacers, having enjoyed Turner's services since selecting him 11th overall in the 2015 NBA Draft, will now face a substantial gap in their lineup. According to IndyStar, Turner developed into a commendable 3-point shooter and led the NBA in blocks twice. His absence is further exacerbated by the loss of All-Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton, who is likely out for the season with an Achilles injury, as stated by WISH-TV. Meanwhile, the Bucks made room for Turner by waiving guard Damian Lillard, who is also rehabilitating from an Achilles tear.
Milwaukee appears to see Turner as a piece to elevate their already formidable frontcourt, which features two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo. Turner's consistent playoffs performance against the Bucks in previous seasons, including two first-round exits for Milwaukee, likely caught the eyes of management. As WTHR notes, the Pacers eliminated the Bucks from the playoffs in each of the last two years.
Turner's departure from Indiana did not come without a bit of drama; he had previously penned an essay in the Players' Tribune expressing his affection for Indianapolis. Charania cites that while Turner was interested in continuing his tenure with the Pacers, the team sought to avoid the NBA's luxury tax, a financial hurdle that may have influenced their decision to part ways. The Pacers are now left with Thomas Bryant and Tony Bradley as the only healthy centers on their roster, who collectively played a mere 16 minutes throughout their last NBA Finals series against Oklahoma City Thunder.
With the 2025-26 NBA season on the horizon, the Pacers' resolve and roster depth will be tested, while the Bucks bask in the acquisition of a player who has been a consistent threat. It's a gamble for Milwaukee, with the hope that Turner's addition will be the catalyst for a championship run, and a challenge for Indiana, determining how to fill the void left by a decade-long key player.
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