The Milwaukee Bucks shocked the NBA by acquiring free agent center Myles Turner. The deal made him earn $107 million for four years. The ten-year veteran and key figure in the Indian Pacers’ lineup will join the Bucks as a younger and more athletic replacement for Brook Lopez.
The agreement excluded Damian Lillard from the Bucks’ depth and stretched his $113 million contract. The salary now counts against the cap over five years. The decision surprised many, and Rival Executives called it “reckless.” They may regret paying over $22 million a year for five seasons. Still, the Bucks kept their draft picks and secured Turner without using a sign-and-trade deal.
Just in: The Milwaukee Bucks are waiving Damian Lillard and stretching the remaining $113 million on his contract in order to acquire Myles Turner, sources tell ESPN. Lillard's two seasons in Milwaukee come to an end as he rehabilitates a torn Achilles tendon. pic.twitter.com/eg1D1TMFM6
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2025
Turner’s ability to pace the floor and protect the bucket makes him a strong fit next to Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Pacers’ oldest tenured player averaged 15.6 points, 6.5 rebounds, and shot nearly 40% from three last season. As the Bucks look to bounce back from multiple playoff exits, Turner’s presence can boost their energy on the court.
How Did The Deal Affect Both Teams?
Apart from Myles Turner, the Bucks also traded Pat Connaughton and two second-round picks to the Charlotte Hornets. They’ve signed their rotation pieces, Gary Harris and Jericho Sims. The team believes Turner can jump into Lopez’s crucial role and play seamlessly to fill the gap. He came to complement Antetokounmpo when needed. However, reports suggest Giannis is not satisfied with Lillard’s exit.
Meanwhile, the Pacers are suffering from major setbacks. The franchise does not look balanced after trading Turner just weeks after Tyrese Haliburton’s torn Achilles injury. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst shared that players in the locker room are likely disgusted by the team’s decision to let go of Turner.
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Among the controversy, the Bucks made their target clear to chase a title with a strong, renewed lineup, even though it costs their long-term cap flexibility. Whether the move will work for them or not, the Pacers must deal with the significant gap created by Turner’s trade.
