Myles Turner signs with Bucks; Pacers’ Kevin Pritchard details what went down — and how far they were willing to go
The Pacers made an offer and were prepared to go into the luxury tax, but Turner chose a surprise deal from Milwaukee — and the Pacers got nothing in return.
Myles Turner, an unrestricted free agent for the first time, chose to use that valuable leverage elsewhere.
The 29-year-old center, who spent nearly a third of his life in Indianapolis and became a man here, officially signed with the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday.
If it felt like this alternative offer came out of left field — that’s because it did.
First, because all along, league circles understood there would be limited bidders. Many teams have been planning and clearing cap space for the 2026 offseason, leaving only the Brooklyn Nets as a cap-space team this summer.
Then Bucks ownership made a bold, desperate move in hopes of keeping superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo happy and in Milwaukee.
This move stunned everyone because the Bucks have to pay guard Damian Lillard — who, like Tyrese Haliburton, will also miss next season with a torn Achilles — to go away. This clears cap space.
Not only did the Bucks agree to a reported four-year, $107 million deal with Turner, they’ll also be paying Lillard $113 million — waived and stretched out over the next five years. That’s roughly a $23 million cap hit per season.
On top of Turner’s nearly $27 million annual salary.
The Pacers wanted and planned for Turner’s return. But money talks — and the Bucks made an offer he didn’t want to turn down.
Turner’s signing became official on Monday, just as team president Kevin Pritchard spoke following a rookie/free-agent camp practice inside Ascension St. Vincent Center.
“Myles must’ve heard something in that (offer) and said, ‘I’m going to take it right now,’ Pritchard said. “… It feels like he made a decision for his family, and Herb Simon, myself, we fully understand it.”