The Indiana Pacers watched Myles Turner walk away in free agency, and his future with the Milwaukee Bucks is in question after one season. Turner was a starter and key role player in Indiana for a decade. He helped the Pacers reach the NBA Finals in 2025, but the 6’11 big man’s production slipped after leaving. Now, Giannis Antetokounmpo is likely to be traded (subscription required), and the Bucks have no reason to keep Turner.
The Pacers were right to let him walk. Turner averaged 11.9 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks in 26.9 minutes per game for Milwaukee. All of those marks were his lowest since 2016. He shot a career-worst 44.0 percent from the field, and he rated below league average by win shares per 48 minutes for the first time in his career.
Turner just finished the first season of a four-year contract worth $108.8 million. He went to Milwaukee to play with Giannis and compete for championships. That didn’t work out in year one. If the Greek Freak is gone, Turner will want out. His production may make it difficult to trade the big man, but the Bucks won’t have any qualms about sending him packing.
Myles Turner is on thin ice with the Bucks
Milwaukee will have to pick a direction with the Giannis trade. Do they attempt to get a star in return to stay competitive? This strategy could get them stuck in the middle, but it is just one lucky lottery away from giving them two game-changers. The Bucks could go full teardown and completely rebuild through the draft. It is no easy call after the NBA’s lottery reform.
Turner may be out the door either way. If Giannis stays, the Bucks will try to improve the roster around him. The big man’s $26.5 million salary for the 2026-27 season seems like an obvious trade chip. Turner's struggles put him on the trade block. It doesn’t matter which direction Milwaukee heads in.
The Pacers pivoted to Ivica Zubac at the trade deadline. Indiana was able to get a center upgrade, but it came at a massive cost. The Pacers traded a top-four protected pick to the Clippers that ended up fifth after the lottery. It ruined the tank season, but Indy should be right back in contention when Tyrese Haliburton returns.
It hurt watching Turner walk away, especially when he chose to sign with the rival Bucks. The 30-year-old was in trade rumors for years, but the Pacers know how difficult it is to find a stretch five capable of protecting the rim. Indiana needed Turner to make the NBA Finals in 2025. They gambled by not extending him, and it busted when he left in free agency.
The Indiana Pacers made a smart move as Myles Turner is already on thin ice with the Milwaukee Bucks. Fans shouldn’t be surprised to see the big man traded this summer. He is coming off his worst season in a decade, and the Bucks are pivoting their roster. Expect Turner to be back in the rumors. Pacers fans are quite used to those.
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