Myles Turner Joins Milwaukee Bucks in Stunning Free Agency Move That Shakes Up the NBA Landscape
The Milwaukee Bucks sent shockwaves through the basketball world on Tuesday morning with their unexpected signing of Myles Turner, the top free agent on the market. The former Indiana Pacers center agreed to a four-year, $107 million deal, leaving many stunned not just by the signing itself but by the drastic steps Milwaukee took to make it possible — including waiving Damian Lillard, a future Hall of Famer, to free up cap space.
Turner’s arrival in Milwaukee is significant not only because of his skill set, but also because it comes at the expense of one of the franchise’s most high-profile stars. Lillard, who joined the Bucks two seasons ago in a blockbuster trade, still had over $110 million remaining on his contract. His release clears the path for Turner’s signing but leaves the Bucks with more than $22 million per year in dead cap charges over the next five seasons.
The decision marks a bold and polarizing move for a team built around Giannis Antetokounmpo, whose championship window remains open but pressured. Turner, eight years younger than Brook Lopez — whom he effectively replaces — offers Milwaukee an ideal blend of rim protection and floor spacing, attributes that fit well with Giannis’ style of play.
The Bucks’ recent playoff struggles, including three straight first-round exits, contributed to the urgency behind this move. Lillard’s Achilles injury in the playoffs left a gaping hole in Milwaukee’s offense, and his uncertain future made him a financial liability. By taking a massive swing with Turner, the Bucks aim to stay in the championship mix in a fiercely competitive Eastern Conference, now led by Cleveland, New York, Atlanta, and Orlando.
From Indiana’s perspective, Turner’s departure marks the end of an era. He had been the team’s longest-tenured player and was instrumental in the Pacers’ run to the NBA Finals this past season — their first appearance in 25 years. Despite early optimism about retaining him, the Pacers balked at entering the luxury tax for the first time in two decades. That hesitation proved costly.
Turner had reason to believe he was worth more than the five-year, $125 million deal recently signed by Minnesota’s Naz Reid, especially given his role as a starter on a Finals team. Indiana’s refusal to meet his price tag opened the door for Milwaukee to swoop in. Turner now joins a team desperately seeking to return to elite status, while Indiana is left to regroup without both him and injured star Tyrese Haliburton, who tore his Achilles in Game 7 of the Finals.
Without Turner, the Pacers’ center rotation is in flux. They’ve extended a qualifying offer to Isaiah Jackson, but depth and talent at that position are now glaring weaknesses. Free agency offers few viable replacements, with Deandre Ayton being the only notable name still available after his buyout from Portland. Ironically, Indiana once tried to sign Ayton in 2022 before Phoenix matched the offer sheet.
The Turner deal also impacts Giannis Antetokounmpo’s future in Milwaukee. The superstar forward has consistently voiced his desire to win multiple championships and was reportedly monitoring the team’s offseason moves closely. With Turner now in the fold, the Bucks are attempting to surround Giannis with a roster capable of contending. He is under contract for the next two seasons with a $62.7 million player option looming in 2027–28. Milwaukee hopes this bold acquisition is enough to convince him to stay long-term.
During the final weeks of last season, Giannis played some of his best basketball, averaging 33.4 points, 15.6 rebounds, and 6.6 assists per game while stepping into a point-forward role in Lillard’s absence. Those numbers could be replicated with Turner providing space and rim support, potentially positioning Giannis for a third MVP award — if he can handle the increased workload and stay healthy.
The story of Damian Lillard now takes a somber turn. His two-year stint with the Bucks never quite lived up to expectations. Though he and Giannis had flashes of dominance, injuries limited their chemistry, and they only played three playoff games together. With the Achilles tear cutting his season short, Milwaukee made a cold, financial decision to part ways. Lillard is now a free agent but expected to sit out the 2025–26 season to fully recover, with plans to choose his next destination as an unrestricted free agent in 12 to 18 months.
Because of NBA salary cap rules, there’s no rush for Lillard to sign with a team this season. Any deal now would likely offer only non-Bird rights, limiting his future earnings. Teams and Lillard alike are expected to wait until he is healthy and positioned for a long-term, higher-paying deal — perhaps the final major contract of his career.
Meanwhile, the ripple effects of Turner’s move are already being felt across the league. One under-the-radar move now coming into sharper focus is Indiana’s decision to trade its 2025 first-round draft pick to New Orleans during the Finals. That deal, completed before Haliburton’s injury, now appears shortsighted. The Pelicans used that pick in a trade with Atlanta to select Derik Queen, but the Pacers' 2026 pick — top-four protected — could now become a high lottery selection, dramatically shifting the outlook for both franchises.
With Indiana’s immediate future uncertain, a rebuild seems inevitable. The front office may focus on long-term growth and positioning for the 2026 draft, hoping to land a future cornerstone to pair with Haliburton once he returns. For now, the team’s remarkable Finals run has given way to roster instability and a steep uphill climb.
In Milwaukee, the stakes are clear. The Bucks are betting big on Myles Turner, believing he can be the missing piece next to Giannis Antetokounmpo. Whether that gamble pays off will depend not just on Turner’s performance but on how the Bucks manage the financial burden of stretching Lillard’s contract and whether they can find a way to fill the offensive void left by his departure.
This offseason may well go down as one of the most dramatic in recent NBA history — and the season ahead promises even more fireworks.
