Myles Turner’s spurning the Indiana Pacers for their division rival, the Milwaukee Bucks, was one of the wildest twists of the 2025 NBA Offseason. Turner played a role in the Pacers’ eliminating the Bucks in the first round over the last two seasons, so it was surprising to see him cross over to the other side, especially after the Pacers were within inches of a title.
Alas, Turner left for greener pastures, as he is now the Bucks’ official Brook Lopez replacement. After leaving the Pacers for the Bucks, Turner fired a shot at Indiana.
What Did Myles Turner Say About Indiana After Joining Milwaukee?
During his Media Day Press Conference, Turner talked about how he’s adapting to his new situation while also making it clear what makes the Bucks different from the Pacers.
“One thing I’m doing now is embracing change. I’m heading into my prime,” Turner told reporters. “I’m in a city now that wants to celebrate me. And there’s a great quote, ‘Go where you’re celebrated.’ And I feel that’s here.”
When Turner first entered the NBA, many believed he had the makings of a star because of his unique big-man skillset. In a league that valued versatility, athleticism and floor spacing, Turner seemed like the picture-perfect big man in the modern NBA.
He never quite became a star, but over time, Turner became a crucial piece for the Pacers over the past decade. However, during his time with the team, he was also subject to what seemed like endless trade rumors before the Tyrese Haliburton era came in full swing.
Once Indiana had a contender on their hands, Turner was seemingly no longer on the market. While Indiana gave him multiple extensions, they took a significant risk not extending him before his contract ended. One would think that after a finals run, they would want to keep a title contender intact.
Maybe that was the plan, but the Bucks gave Turner an offer too rich to pass up. There may have been some hurt feelings between him and the Pacers for putting him in trade rumors and electing not to extend him after helping them reach the finals.
Now, he starts his richest NBA contract and gets to play with one of the league’s best players in Giannis Antetokounmpo. If that’s not enough, the Bucks waived Damian Lillard to make room for Turner, and that’s a pretty sincere form of flattery. Now, whether it will change the Bucks’ fortunes is anyone’s guess, but it’s clear from Turner’s words that he doesn’t have a lot of regrets from this summer.
