The Milwaukee Bucks are preparing for the upcoming NBA season amid uncertainty surrounding the futures of their franchise stars, Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo. Still, the Bucks made a significant move by acquiring the center Myles Turner, who just helped lead the Indiana Pacers to the NBA Finals.
Now that the signing is official, Turner shared a message with his new fan base. At the end of his statement, he joked, “Good news, I don’t hate y’all no more. It’s love.”
That comment stems from the long-standing rivalry between the Bucks and the Pacers, which has flared up again in recent postseason battles. While many Milwaukee fans may not have liked Turner during his Pacers tenure, his game was always respected around the league.
Turner delivered a solid postseason performance, averaging 13.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.0 blocks, 1.4 assists, and 0.5 steals per game. During the regular season, he posted 15.6 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 2.0 blocks, and 0.8 steals per game. He arrives as a direct replacement for Brook Lopez, who signed with the Los Angeles Clippers this offseason. At 37, Lopez’s production had dipped, while Turner, just 29, could anchor the Bucks’ frontcourt for years to come.
Those numbers highlight Turner’s importance to Indiana’s system, which emphasized balance and versatility. His ability to impact both ends of the floor makes him a valuable addition to Milwaukee’s evolving rotation.
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The Bucks will still need to make more moves if they hope to reassert themselves as true title contenders. Lillard is no longer part of the picture, and there remains no guarantee that Antetokounmpo will commit long-term to the franchise.
With Turner now in the mix, Milwaukee has added a reliable presence in the paint—but plenty of questions still surround their championship ambitions heading into the 2025–26 NBA season.
