Pacers lose Myles Turner to Bucks as Lillard waived in free agency stunner
Myles Turner is heading to the Bucks, who are waiving Damian Lillard to facilitate a deal.
The Milwaukee Bucks have pulled off a stunning move in NBA free agency, prising center Myles Turner from the Indiana Pacers.
Turner had made it clear he wanted to remain in Indiana following their run to the NBA Finals, which they lost in seven games to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
But, per Shams Chanaria of ESPN, he will now join the Bucks after agreeing a four-year, $107 million deal with Milwaukee, which features a player option for year four in 2028-29.
The deal also features a 15 percent trade kicker, granting Turner a bonus payment if he is traded to another team.
Turner and his representatives had reportedly been pushing to get a deal done with the Pacers. However, Indiana’s reluctance to become a luxury tax team in the wake of the devastating Achilles injury suffered by Tyrese Haliburton in Game 7 of the Finals ultimately prevented that from happening.
Instead Turner joins Giannis Antetokounmpo on the Bucks, who are waiving guard Damien Lillard and stretching the remaining $113 million on his contract over five years to create the space to acquire Turner.
Nine-time All-Star Lillard was acquired by the Bucks as part of a three-team trade in 2023. However, his 2024-25 season was hindered by deep vein thrombosis in his right leg, and was ended when he suffered a torn Achilles in Game 4 of the Bucks’ first round loss to the Pacers in the playoffs.
Lillard’s ability to play in 2025-26 is in question but, in Turner, the Bucks are getting an extremely effective stretch big, one who had the best season of his career from beyond the arc in 2024-25.
Indeed, Turner shot 39.6 percent from deep while going 48.1 percent from the field. He put up 15.6 points per game and averaged 6.5 rebounds and 2.0 blocks.
His departure comes after 10 seasons with the Pacers, who drafted him 11th overall in 2015 and leaves a core that inspired Indiana to within touching distance of a first championship in less than ideal shape with Haliburton and Turner removed from the equation.