The Pacers-Bucks rivalry has steadily grown through several high-profile moments. From Indiana’s victory over Milwaukee in the inaugural In-Season Tournament to Giannis Antetokounmpo’s heated confrontation with Tyrese Haliburton’s father after last season’s playoff elimination, tensions have only intensified.

Speaking on the Hello and Welcome podcast, Nembhard said Turner’s arrival in Milwaukee adds another layer to the matchup between the two franchises. “I think it just builds into the rivalry that we already got going. It’s going to be an exciting matchup this year. It’s going to get even better than before – now that we’re not on the same team anymore,” he explained.

Still, despite the rivalry, the Canadian guard made it clear he wishes his former teammate success in his new chapter. “At the end of the day, I want to see him do well, you know? Glad he got paid, and wishing him success in the future… not against us. But for himself,” Nembhard added.

Turner on leaving Indiana for Milwaukee

Turner’s decision stirred mixed emotions among Pacers fans given the history between the two franchises. But the 29-year-old said his move was about timing, growth, and positioning himself to contend.

“At the end of the day, bro, it’s not a Cinderella story, you know what I mean?” Turner said during a livestream with Kyrie Irving. “I wanted to be thankful for everyone who rocked with me during my 10-year journey in Indiana, but I also had to make the best decision for my family and myself heading into my prime”.

Turner was a key figure in Indiana across 10 seasons, especially during their rebuild. He averaged 14.1 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 2.2 blocks per game, establishing himself as one of the Pacers’ most reliable contributors.

Knicks star guard Jalen Brunson reacted candidly to Turner’s departure during the latest episode of The Roommates Show, which he co-hosts with teammate Josh Hart. The topic came up as the pair discussed the dramatic playoff run and the unexpected offseason twists that followed.

“I thought the Myles Turner thing was weird,” Brunson said. “Like he just said he spent like a decade there and all this stuff and everything—and then boom, gone. You know what’s crazy about that? He was on the trading block like every year. It was always like, ‘Yeah, we’re looking to trade Myles Turner.’ It was like that for at least five or six years.”

Turner, who spent 10 seasons with the Pacers, was a cornerstone in Indiana’s 2025 playoff surge. The Pacers defeated the Knicks in six games in the East Finals before narrowly falling to the Oklahoma City Thunder in a grueling seven-game NBA Finals. Turner’s long tenure in Indiana came to define a generation of Pacers basketball.

This summer, Turner signed a four-year, $107 million contract with the Bucks—a move that stunned both fans and players around the league. On the show, Hart highlighted how personal and financial factors often influence such decisions, even when they appear abrupt from the outside.

“I’ll say this because it’s always funny to me seeing situations like that,” Hart said. “We’ll never really know all of the facts. If you go off just reports, it’s like—for NBA players—we have such a small window in life to make the most money we can. So in some ways, we have to be kind of selfish in that regard.”

Turner‘s move to Milwaukee adds an intriguing layer to the Bucks’ roster, especially if Giannis Antetokounmpo remains with the team long term. A frontcourt pairing of Giannis and Turner could significantly elevate Turner’s game, providing the defensive anchor with a new level of mentorship and on-court synergy.

As for the Knicks, Brunson and Hart continue to reflect on a season that ended earlier than expected, while the Eastern Conference landscape shifts once again with Turner’s exit from Indiana. Whether Milwaukee can capitalize on their bold move remains to be seen—but one thing is clear: Myles Turner’s next chapter will be one of the most closely watched in the NBA.

Turner addressed reporters during his introductory press conference and later expanded on his mindset in a live stream conversation with Kyrie Irving. He made it clear that the move wasn’t about a fairytale ending—it was about timing, growth, and positioning himself to contend.

“At the end of the day, bro, it’s not a Cinderella story, you know what I mean?” Turner told Irving. “I think people are trying to frame it that way. I wanted to be thankful for everyone who rocked with me during my 10-year journey in Indiana, but I also had to make the best decision for my family and for myself heading into my prime. This is how I saw it fitting.”

The conversation then turned toward Turner’s potential moving forward. Irving asked whether there’s a better version of Myles Turner still to come. Without hesitation, Turner responded, “Absolutely. I’m evolving.”

The Bucks could unlock even more from Turner’s game—especially if Giannis Antetokounmpo remains with the franchise. Having the two-time MVP as a mentor and frontcourt partner could be a win-win scenario, both for Turner’s development and Milwaukee’s championship aspirations.

Most around the league had expected Turner to return to Indiana, but financial decisions may have shifted the outcome. The Pacers reportedly hesitated to enter the luxury tax to retain the 28-year-old center. Tyrese Haliburton’s Achilles injury, which will sideline him for the upcoming season, may have also played a role in the team’s shift in priorities.

Now, Milwaukee finds itself with a talented frontcourt duo, but questions remain about whether the roster is truly championship-ready. Turner adds rim protection, spacing, and experience, but the Bucks will need more than that to challenge teams like Boston and Denver.

The front office has taken a bold step toward reshaping the team’s identity. Whether it pays off in deep postseason success will depend on how well Turner meshes with the core and whether the Bucks can stay healthy and cohesive throughout the NBA season.

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.

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.

“I think they should go all the way tank. Like at some point, somebody has to get the first-round pick. So everybody’s superstar got hurt. We know, to us, it’s somewhat rigged right? So Boston lost JT. Milwaukee lost Dame. Indiana Pacers lost Tyrese. The drop off for the Pacers is going to be so much more drastic because from going from the Finals, losing your star player, the drop off is going to be like…compared to everybody else,” Jeff Teague said, via On the Club 520 podcast.

Teague’s remarks have stirred a divide among Pacers fans. Many criticize the idea as an uncompetitive approach, effectively conceding the season. However, some fans find merit in the strategy, particularly following the confirmed season-long absence of Tyrese Haliburton for the 2025-26 NBA season. His absence could significantly weaken the team compared to the previous season, leading some to support Jeff’s suggestion.

Moreover, former Milwaukee Bucks player Jeff Teague suggests that the Pacers could strategically aim for the No. 2 draft pick by tanking, potentially securing a standout talent. This speculation gains traction not only with Tyrese Haliburton’s injury but also due to Myles Turner‘s recent move to the Milwaukee Bucks via free agency. Despite the growing fan interest in Teague’s idea, the Pacers have a well-defined strategy in place.

The Indiana Pacers have reached an agreement to re-sign James Wiseman. As reported by Tony East on X, formerly Twitter, his contract is for two years. He also added that the contract includes a team option in the second year. Although injuries have affected his career, he has already shown he has the ability to perform in the league. In Turner’s absence, he would have the best opportunity to earn a spot on the starting lineup.

With recent roster additions, many fans argue against tanking, suggesting the team is stronger than it appears. Star players like Pascal Siakam can make a notable impact, especially in the postseason. The team’s success in the 2024-25 season relied not only on its star players but also on a deep and capable rotation. For these reasons, supporters believe that pursuing competitiveness is the right path for the 2025-26 NBA season.

Pacers president of basketball operations Kevin Pritchard addressed the media, revealing the organization was “fully prepared to go deep into the tax” to keep Turner, per WISH-TV News. “I don’t want to get into the specifics of Myles, because the truth is, he gave 10 great years here. I loved having him here, and I hope I’m friends with him for a long time,” Pritchard said.

“I know this — Herb Simon, Steven Rales, and the Simon family were fully prepared to go deep into the tax to keep him, and we really wanted to do that. We were negotiating in good faith, but in this league, when a player is unrestricted, he has the right to say, ‘That’s the offer I want, and it’s best for my family.’ Again, we were in good-faith negotiations.”

While fans are left wondering what the Pacers’ final offer might have looked like, Turner now heads to Milwaukee after a decade with the franchise that selected him in the first round of the 2015 NBA Draft. Pritchard acknowledged the suddenness of the departure, calling it one of the most challenging aspects of the business.

“You can go get [players], but it becomes very challenging, whether through buyouts or trades — and a tip of the cap to Milwaukee for getting it done,” Pritchard continued. “The most important thing is, we were deep in conversations with Myles, and then we saw that he’d accepted an offer with Milwaukee.”

“That’s the part of this business that’s always tough,” he added. “There are two things I’ve come to understand are fundamental in today’s NBA: change is inevitable, and you have to expect the unexpected.”

According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Bucks signed Turner to a four-year, $107 million deal that includes a fourth-year player option and a 15 percent trade kicker. The move pairs Turner with Giannis Antetokounmpo in Milwaukee’s frontcourt and significantly boosts the Bucks’ chances of competing for a title in the upcoming seasons.

The Milwaukee Bucks are making plenty of moves during the start of the NBA free agency period. Damian Lillard is gone, Myles Turner is the new face on the block, and now, a new guy who used to play with Nikola Jokic is also joining the team, according to a report from Shams Charania, ESPN insider.

It’s Gary Harris, who used to be a shooting guard for the Denver Nuggets and then played with Paolo Banchero on the Orlando Magic. He went from a starter to a rotational piece, but after 11 years in the NBA, he will bring experience and depth to the Bucks.

Harris won’t be a starter for the Bucks. That place is Gary Trent Jr’s. However, Harris and Trent have the same strengths. Both are reliable three-point shooters and play fast-paced basketball.

Harris brings lots of playoffs experience

Gary Harris has 39 games of playoffs experience. He knows what it’s like to get on the deep end of the NBA season. With the Bucks having their sights on the NBA ring, having a player with this kind of mileage will certainly help the team.

Harris will be a valuable 12-15 min role player for the Bucks. Even if he has 11 years in the league, he is 30 years old, so he is still at what could be his physical prime.

The Bucks want to make every move count

Being one of the busiest teams so far, the Bucks are making clear their intentions to win it all. Moving off a big name like Damian Lillard is not easy to do, but if the Bucks did it, it’s because they mean business. Bringing Myles Turner is another one too.

Whether it all pays off or not remains to be seen. However, fortune favors the bold and Milwaukee is doing bold moves. The team is making every thing they can to make Giannis Antetokounmpo comfortable.

Damian Lillard came to the Milwaukee Bucks with lots of hype. After two seasons with the team, Shams Charania from ESPN reported that he got waived in order for the team to land Myles Turner from the Indiana Pacers. This move should please Giannis Antetokounmpo. Now, we’re going to take a look to the potential lineup the Bucks will have for the next NBA season.

The projected starting five looks like this:

• Point guard: Kevin Porter Jr.
• Shooting Guard: Gary Trent Jr.
• Small Forward: Kyle Kuzma
• Power Forward: Giannis Antetokounmpo
• Center: Myles Turner

This makes the lineup one with plenty of size. You can argue they have good size advantage in pretty much any position. Plus, they can stretch the floor. The Bucks needed a center able to shoot from distance after losing Brook Lopez to the Clippers.

Turner is a move to apeace Giannis

The Lillard experiment wasn’t good for the Bucks, and losing Brook Lopez without any quick reaction from the team would’ve certainly frustrate Giannis. However, the team acted fast and you can argue Myles Turner is an upgrade on Lopez. He just played the NBA finals for the Pacers and is a big presence under the rim, maybe even a better protector than Lopez.

By giving Turner a four-year, $107 million contract, the intentions are clear. Milwaukee wants to help Giannis bring another Larry O’Brien to the city. It also favors the Bucks in another department: they weakened a tough rival in the East.

The Bucks are gearing up to win the East

The Indiana Pacers just represented the Eastern Conference in last season’s finals, but their return is unlikely. First, they will probably lose superstar Tyrese Haliburton the whole 2025-2026 season due to an Achilles tear. Now, they lose their best big man to a conference rival.

This means the biggest rivals the Bucks will have are the Boston Celtics, the Cleveland Cavaliers and the New York Knicks. None of those teams have made big-time, blockbuster moves yet, so it seems like the Bucks are getting a head start.

Jimmy Butler has emerged as the Warriors’ primary target. The Miami Heat star finds himself in a precarious position after serving a seven-game suspension, with tensions between Butler and the Heat’s front office, particularly Pat Riley, reaching a breaking point. Both sides appear ready to part ways, and Golden State is poised to capitalize on the opportunity.

Butler’s appeal lies in his ability to deliver in clutch moments. A proven playoff performer, he would provide the Warriors with a secondary scoring option alongside Curry. Butler’s 17.6 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game this season demonstrate his continued effectiveness on both ends of the court. His leadership, defensive acumen, and knack for stepping up in critical situations make him an ideal addition for a team looking to make a deep playoff run.

Proposed Trade: Warriors Receive: Jimmy Butler
Heat Receive: Andrew Wiggins, Gary Payton II, 2026 First-Round Pick (GSW)

While the trade would undoubtedly elevate the Warriors’ competitiveness, parting ways with Andrew Wiggins—a versatile defender and key contributor to their recent success—raises concerns about team chemistry.

Turner: The defensive anchor

The Warriors’ second target, Myles Turner, addresses a different but equally pressing need: a true center. Turner’s 15.3 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks per game this season highlight his value as a rim protector and floor-spacer. His ability to defend the paint with authority would allow perimeter players like Curry and Draymond Green to play more aggressively, knowing Turner has their back.

Offensively, Turner’s 39.1% three-point shooting adds another dimension to the Warriors’ system, perfectly complementing their pace-and-space philosophy. His mobility and shooting touch would seamlessly integrate into Golden State’s offensive schemes.

Proposed Trade: Warriors Receive: Myles Turner
Pacers Receive: Jonathan Kuminga, Brandin Podziemski, 2027 First-Round Pick (GSW)

However, the cost of acquiring Turner could be steep, with the Warriors potentially sacrificing promising young players like Jonathan Kuminga and Brandin Podziemski. This raises questions about the long-term implications for the franchise’s depth and development.

The strategic trade balance

The Warriors face a difficult decision as they weigh the immediate impact of adding Butler or Turner against their long-term aspirations. Butler provides scoring, leadership, and clutch performance, while Turner addresses structural deficiencies in the frontcourt with his defensive presence and shooting range.

Ultimately, the decision will hinge on what Golden State prioritizes: bolstering their championship odds in the short term or preserving assets for sustained success. Either way, the addition of one of these stars would significantly increase their chances of reclaiming their status as NBA title contenders.

The Suns have had an excellent offseason, rounding up their roster around their stars, adding defenders and shooters, and it seems like they should be the team to beat next season if they stay healthy.

But even good things could be better. With that in mind, Bleacher Report’s NBA staff proposed a trade to swap Deandre Ayton for Indiana Pacers star Myles Turner.

Suns Could Go After Myles Turner

(Via Bleacher Report)

“Phoenix Suns acquire Myles Turner and T.J. McConnell from the Indiana Pacers for Deandre Ayton.

The Pacers are natural partners here, considering they inked Ayton to the $133 million offer sheet Phoenix matched in 2022. Though depth is less of an issue now than it was before the Suns’ ridiculously successful minimum-signing bonanza, getting multiple players in exchange for Ayton should still be a priority.

Here, Phoenix gets a floor-spacing center in Turner who’ll block more shots than Ayton, plus a point guard in McConnell. (…)

Of their extremely limited options, the Suns could do a lot worse than Turner, McConnell and a little under $3 million in salary savings this season.”

Of course, this would only make sense if Ayton is once again unwilling to play ball and embrace his role in the desert. But should this move go down, it would be hard to think of a team more stacked with talent than them.

We already know better than to count the Warriors out. They’ve come back from the dead over and over and have proven to be the team to beat out of the Western Conference until proven otherwise.

But there are some evident issues they need to address sooner rather than later. That’s why NBA insider Eric Pinus believes they could be in the mix for a big man like Spurs’ Jakob Poeltl or pacers’ Myles Turner.

NBA Rumors: Golden State Warriors Could Trade For Myles Turner Or Jakob Poeltl

(via Eric Pinus – Bleacher Report)

“Kevon Looney is a championship role player, but he and Draymond Green seem overmatched by the league’s size. The Warriors were seventh in the league in rebounds a year ago but have fallen to 25th overall. Golden State needs additional help up front, and Wiseman doesn’t appear ready to fill that gap.

Beyond adding a versatile defensive wing in Crowder, competing executives believe the Warriors covet additional size in a player like Jakob Poeltl of the San Antonio Spurs or Myles Turner of the Indiana Pacers.”

Both Turner and Poeltl are prime trade candidates this season. Their teams will most likely blow out their rosters ahead of the deadline looking to gather as many draft picks as they possibly can.

But the Dubs will face some steep competition to acquire either of those players. They have more than enough resources and young players to pull the trigger, but whether they’re ready to give up on Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody, or even James Wiseman remains to be seen.