Myles Turner just walked away, wrapping up his ten-year stint in Indiana. The veteran center’s decision to sign a four-year, $108.9 million deal with the Milwaukee Bucks after helping the Pacers reach Game 7 of the NBA Finals wasn’t just about money. It was about feeling wanted.
Why Did Myles Turner Choose Milwaukee Over the Indiana Pacers?
Speaking with Sirius XM NBA radio today, Turner broke down what he called an “interesting process” that led him away from the only NBA team he’d ever known. The numbers tell part of the story: Turner averaged 15.6 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 2.0 blocks during the 2024-25 season. But the real story was about hunger and opportunity.
“I want a chance to stay competitive going into my 30s right now,” Turner stated, explaining his decision.
“I feel that Milwaukee valued me a bit more than [the Pacers]”
Myles Turner tells @termineradio, @Jumpshot8, and Ryan McDonough the thought process behind his decision to leave his former team for their division foe pic.twitter.com/sNlU50FiSr
— SiriusXM NBA Radio (@SiriusXMNBA) July 15, 2025
“And I look at the way this Milwaukee roster is constructed and how I can come in and use my talents to try to get back to that fold. I feel that Milwaukee valued me a bit more and I think they tried a little harder. At the end of the day, out of respect to that organization (Indiana Pacers) and respect for my incoming organization (Milwaukee Bucks), it was an interesting process.”
The message was clear: Milwaukee wanted Turner more than Indiana did. After ten years of being the steady big man in Indianapolis, Turner felt the pull of an organization that made him feel like a priority rather than just another piece.
How Does This Move Impact Milwaukee’s Championship Hopes?
Turner’s arrival comes at a make-or-break moment for the Bucks. Reports have surfaced indicating that superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo has grown increasingly concerned with the organization’s approach to winning and is perhaps looking at other teams for a potential trade. The pressure is on for this signing to pay immediate dividends and reassure their cornerstone player.
Milwaukee didn’t just add Turner. They completely restructured their roster to get him. The Bucks made a shocking move, waiving All-Star Damian Lillard, who is currently rehabbing from a torn Achilles injury. This leaves Milwaukee with virtually no backcourt depth, signaling a dramatic shift in their team construction.
The math is simple but risky: Milwaukee is betting everything on an Antetokounmpo-Turner frontcourt. These two will need to be stalwarts on defense and provide an equally potent offensive punch to make up for what they lost in the backcourt.
For Turner, this represents the ultimate gamble. He’s walking away from a team that just reached Game 7 of the NBA Finals to join a franchise in a potential crisis. But if it works, he’ll have his championship and validation that Milwaukee’s faith in him was justified.
For the Bucks, this is their all-in moment. They’re reshaping their entire roster around a dominant frontcourt, even at the cost of backcourt depth, hoping it’s enough to satisfy Antetokounmpo and propel them back into the league’s elite. Turner’s “interesting process” may be over, but the real work for him and Milwaukee is just beginning.
