The Indiana Pacers watched Myles Turner leave in free agency for the rival Milwaukee Bucks on a four-year $107 million contract, and Milwaukee made the shocking upgrade an outright signing by waiving and stretching Damian Lillard. That leaves the Pacers without a center and with nothing in return for Turner. He’s gone after ten years with the Pacers and gave them a gut punch on the way out.
Indiana never wants to pay the tax, which likely limited their offers for Turner. The 6’11 big man earned every penny of his new contract, but how could Indy not match? They just made the NBA Finals and forced a Game 7 against the Thunder. Tyrese Haliburton’s injury is a setback, but the Pacers appeared to be building something special. All of that is gone now.
Turner going to one of the Pacers' biggest rivals stung. To do so on a reasonable contract and give Milwaukee life in keeping Giannis Antetokounmpo made the pain even worse for Indiana fans.
Myles Turner screws the Pacers as he joins the Bucks
Milwaukee replaces the aging Brook Lopez with Turner. The 29-year-old is in his prime and just shot 39.6 percent from 3-point range last season. Turner can guard on the perimeter better than Lopez and instantly gives Milwaukee a new dynamic frontcourt duo.
Turner spent his first ten years in Indy. After years of trade rumors, he bolts in free agency for a rival. The Pacers have to be kicking themselves. They could have traded Turner before the deadline if not before, but it never happened. Now, he is gone with zero return for Indy. Turner certainly got the last laugh.
The team’s refusal to spend crushed them again. The Pacers were just in the NBA Finals. How could they let Turner leave? This was a stunning move that Indiana will regret for years to come.
The Indiana Pacers are facing a gap year. Haliburton tore his Achilles in the NBA Finals and will miss the entire 2025-26 season. With Turner in Milwaukee, Indy will be fighting for a playoff spot. Pascal Siakam is a star, but their depth and top-end talent are questionable. Indy could easily be in the lottery after Turner’s departure.
Myles Turner finally left the Indiana Pacers, but it was not how fans expected. It seemed like he was a guarantee to return, but he quickly pulled the rug on fans. Leaving for the rival Bucks made this hurt so much worse. Turner got paid, but he did not have to crush Pacers fans on his way out.