The Indiana Pacers were quickly proven right for not offering Myles Turner the money the Milwaukee Bucks did. Turner landed a four-year $108 million contract in free agency that was even more costly for his new team because the Bucks had to waive-and-stretch Damian Lillard’s contract to make it happen. The Pacers were only offering a three-year deal worth $66 million, but even that might have been an overpay.
Turner’s production dropped virtually across the board. He averaged just 11.9 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.6 blocks in 26.9 minutes per game. The Bucks were disappointed as the big man produced the worst win shares per 48 minutes of his career and his second-worst value over replacement player (VORP). It was not pretty, including the Bucks being outscored by 4.9 points per 100 possessions with him on the floor.
Milwaukee owes Turner $83.5 million over the next three years and may be heading for a total rebuild. Floor spacing big men are difficult to find, but the Bucks may struggle to get value if they trade Turner. The Pacers were wise to move on, especially at that price, but it wasn’t easy solving the center spot.
Myles Turner proved the Pacers right in his first season with the Bucks
Pacers fans saw Turner’s production start to slip slightly during the 2025 NBA Finals run. Head coach Rick Carlisle limited the big man’s minutes as the series wore on against the Knicks and Thunder. Turner was struggling to make shots, and fans knew Tyrese Haliburton’s injury would complicate the free agency negotiations.
The Pacers didn’t want to pay the luxury tax, especially in a gap year. Haliburton wasn’t going to play as he recovered from a torn Achilles. Indiana offered Turner $22 million per year, but he found more on the open market. Credit to him. The Pacers foolishly failed to trade him after he was in the rumors for years, but Turner helped them reach the NBA Finals. If they won the title, fans wouldn’t be mad he left with zero return.
Turner’s departure left a massive hole at the five, and Indiana filled it with Ivica Zubac at the trade deadline. This was a bold move that looks a bit foolish after their protected 2026 first-round pick landed at fifth overall and went to the Clippers. A future star may be available for LA in the draft, and this trade could haunt the Pacers for years.
Credit to Indiana’s front office for being bold. It wasn’t easy letting Turner walk or trading for Zubac. They upgraded at the five, even though it cost significantly more than the Pacers wanted it to. It was sad to see Turner go after a decade with the franchise, but Indiana was right to move on.
The Indiana Pacers will be back in title contention next season. That may not be the case if a massive Myles Turner contract was weighing down their books. They wisely moved on and are ready to see if they can win a championship.
The Pacers were close, but everybody will count them out. Let’s hope Hali and the team can prove everyone wrong again. It would certainly be a feel-good story that casual NBA fans could easily get behind. The Pacers would love nothing more.
Add us as a preferred source on Google