Key Takeaways
- Myles Turner signed a four-year, $107M contract with the Bucks after the Pacers declined to meet his salary demands.
- The move marks a dramatic shift for Indiana, who now face questions about their direction after Haliburton’s injury.
- Milwaukee is aggressively reshaping its roster—waiving Lillard and adding Turner, Harris, and Micic—to maximize its title window with Giannis.
Myles Turner (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
When news broke Tuesday morning that Myles Turner had agreed to a long-term contract with the Milwaukee Bucks, it was one of the more shocking developments of the NBA’s free agency moratorium period.
Fresh off the NBA Finals, a memorable playoff run with the Indiana Pacers, and 10 seasons in the Hoosier State, Turner is moving on to the team’s Central Division rival alongside two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo.
According to a league source who spoke to RG, the Pacers were unwilling to offer Turner more than four years or $22 million annually. RG has learned that Turner would have stayed in Indiana for $25 million per year, but the organization wouldn’t budge on the amount, offering a three-year, $66 million contract. No player option was offered for a fourth year.
With neither side able to come to terms, the Pacers had intentions to sign-and-trade Turner to whichever team courted him. Instead, the Bucks came to Turner on Tuesday morning with “an offer that was hard to turn down,” per the source.
Milwaukee was willing to go four years for $107 million on a contract, but a player option in the final season and a 15% trade kicker were what sealed the deal for Turner.
Everything came together quickly, and it was as much of a surprise to Pacers fans and the basketball world as it was to Turner’s camp.
While emotions will certainly run high in the coming weeks as Turner steps outside Indianapolis for the first time in his NBA career, the 29-year-old is eager for his next phase.
“Myles’ head is in a good place,” the source told RG.
Turner will forever be part of the Pacers’ history. He leaves as the franchise’s all-time blocks leader with 1,412 rejections. Turner recorded the fourth-most 3-pointers made (756) and played the sixth-most total games (642) and eighth-most total minutes (18,454). He is ninth on the all-time rebounds list (4,349).
Are the Indiana Pacers Changing Direction?
The Pacers are in a difficult predicament just two weeks after being in Game 7 of the NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Following the heartbreaking loss, Indiana head coach Rick Carlisle went on the radio and said that retaining Turner was the organization’s top priority of the offseason. In addition, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that the veteran big man and the franchise had mutual interest, even if it meant going into the luxury tax.
However, Tyrese Haliburton’s devastating Achilles injury incentivizes the Pacers to stay financially flexible while their All-Star point guard recovers.
With Giannis Antetokounmpo Watching, the Milwaukee Bucks Are Making Moves
Meanwhile, the Bucks are gearing up to get back into contention—no matter the price tag or the cutthroat method—with Antetokounmpo keeping a close eye on the franchise’s direction.
Shortly after the Turner news broke, Milwaukee waived Damian Lillard, stretching his remaining $113 million owed over the next five years on the organization’s books. The Bucks will reportedly retain the majority of their free agents, including Bobby Portis, Gary Trent Jr., Kevin Porter Jr., Taurean Prince, and Jericho Sims. They have also struck a deal with Gary Harris.
On top of that, per Charania, Milwaukee agreed to a trade with the Charlotte Hornets for Vasilije Micic to bolster its backcourt, sending Pat Connaughton and two future second-round picks (2031, 2032) to the Hornets.
