Anonymous Indiana Pacers Exec Issues Statement on Myles Turner Leaving for Milwaukee Bucks

The Indiana Pacers' plans to re-sign Myles Turner in free agency changed drastically after Tyrese Haliburton suffered a torn right Achilles tendon in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder. This injury led the Pacers to allow Turner to leave for the Milwaukee Bucks.

A Pacers front office executive explained the difficult decision, stating Turner had been vital to the team over the past decade, but emphasized the need to be "smart" with assets for both the immediate and long-term future. The Pacers believe they used their assets well to acquire center options to remain competitive.

Turner signed a four-year, $108 million contract with the Milwaukee Bucks, a team the Pacers defeated in the first round of the playoffs for two consecutive years. Turner cited his motivation for the move was to "stay competitive," highlighting his experience reaching the conference finals two years prior and the NBA Finals last year as a major part of the Pacers, which changed his perspective on the league.

In the previous season with the Pacers, Turner played 72 games, averaging 15.6 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 2.0 blocks while shooting 48.1% from the field, 39.6% from three-point range, and 77.3% from the free-throw line. The 29-year-old center holds career averages of 14.1 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 2.2 blocks and is a two-time blocks champion.

To facilitate signing Turner, the Bucks waived and stretched Damian Lillard. The Bucks also re-signed Bobby Portis, Kevin Porter Jr., Gary Trent Jr., Taurean Prince, and Jericho Sims, and signed Gary Harris.