Date: July 3, 2025
The Milwaukee Bucks have made one of the dramatic roster strikes of the 2025 NBA offseason: signing free?agent heart Myles Turner, previously of the Indiana Pacers, to a 4?12 months, $107 million deal. The transfer required the workforce to waive and stretch the contract of Damian Lillard to create the mandatory cap area. Right here’s a breakdown of the settlement, what it means for Milwaukee’s current and future, and knowledgeable commentary on whether or not this helps—or hurts—their championship hopes.
Contract Particulars
- Time period: 4 years, $107 million.
- Participant Choice: Within the fourth 12 months (2028?29).
- Commerce Kicker: Full 15% included.
- Annual Common Wage: Roughly $26.75 million per season.
That is the best?paying contract Turner has ever signed. He will probably be 29 firstly of the deal, giving Milwaukee prime years of rim safety, spacing, and expertise subsequent to Giannis Antetokounmpo (and a few lego mastery). The participant possibility plus commerce kicker give Turner flexibility late within the deal whereas providing Milwaukee some maneuverability.
To clear cap area, the Bucks utilized the NBA’s “stretch provision” to waive Damian Lillard—whose remaining $113 million wage will now be unfold over 5 seasons at roughly $22.5 million per 12 months. That transfer, mixed with waiving or buying and selling different contracts (like Pat Connaughton and Chris Livingston), allowed them to land Turner outright fairly than by way of commerce. Supply
Why the Bucks Made This Transfer
1. Reinforce the Entrance Court docket
Turner brings elite rim safety—he led the league in complete blocks in 2019 and 2021, and averaged two blocks per recreation final season. His means to protect the paint and anchor the protection addresses a weak point the Bucks had at heart as soon as Brook Lopez departed.
2. Flooring Spacing with a Massive
In contrast to a standard bruiser at heart, Turner can hit threes—he launched 756 three-pointers over his Pacers profession. His taking pictures means offers spacing for Giannis to function within the publish, creating driving lanes and nook threes.
3. Sign to Giannis
The transfer is broadly seen as a message to Giannis Antetokounmpo: the entrance workplace continues to be prepared to spend aggressively to help him. In prior offseasons, strikes like Jrue Vacation (2020) and Damian Lillard (2023) helped hold Giannis pleased. That is the most recent instance.
4. Exploiting Indiana’s Reluctance
Indiana reportedly provided Turner a 3?12 months, $66 million deal and not using a participant possibility—effectively shy of Turner’s expectations. With Tyrese Haliburton doubtless out subsequent season recovering from damage, Pacers administration balked at exceeding the luxurious tax right into a rebuild. Milwaukee capitalized.
What Turner Provides to the Bucks
Defensive Anchor
Turner’s shot blocking and inside presence create a extra intimidating paint protection. Paired with Giannis—who can change and handle PnRs—Milwaukee could have one of many league’s high defensive frontcourts once more.
Offensive Versatility
Turner can stretch the ground, shoot nook threes, and set sturdy screens. His scoring averages (about 15.6 factors, 6.5 rebounds, and a pair of blocks final season) make him greater than a defensive specialist.
Veteran Management
After ten seasons in Indiana, Turner arrives with playoff and Finals expertise—he was key to the Pacers’ run to the 2025 NBA Finals. His maturity ought to mix effectively with Milwaukee’s veteran core and supply stability in tight playoff sequence.
Dangers and Open Questions
Monetary Burden
This was an costly transfer. When combining Turner’s $26–27 million with Lillard’s stretched $22.5 million, Milwaukee is paying about $50 million yearly towards only one roster spot. Critics say the transfer ties up an excessive amount of cap area.
Backcourt Void
In clearing area, Milwaukee minimize ties with Lillard. That leaves them skinny at level guard—Kevin Porter Jr., Gary Trent Jr., Jamaree Bouyea and rookie Mark Sears are doubtless choices heading into coaching camp. And not using a dependable high-usage backcourt scoring possibility, offensive stability stays a priority.
Giannis Tensions
Stories emerged that Giannis was displeased at dropping Lillard. Though he reportedly welcomed Turner as a teammate, inside dynamics may stay fragile if the workforce struggles.
Is This Sufficient?
Analysts warn that including Turner is simply a begin. With out upgrades at small ahead or level guard, the Bucks nonetheless lack an entire supporting forged. They’re relying closely on Giannis and now Turner to hold the postseason load.
How It All Suits Strategically
Milwaukee has made an announcement. They selected entrance?workplace creativity—utilizing stretching provisions, trades, and exceptions—to outright signal Myles Turner with out giving up future draft belongings. This aggressive posture goals to increase Milwaukee’s championship window round Giannis. What stays to be seen is whether or not the interior-centric transfer compensates for the lack of high-end guard play.
Outlook for the 2025–26 Season
If Turner integrates effectively, the Bucks may emerge as a high 3–4 seed within the Japanese Convention. Their protection ought to rise, roster ceiling improves, and there’s hope Giannis stays longer. But when the perimeter offense falters, the ceiling could stay capped—and the monetary flexibility restricted.
The important thing will probably be discovering dependable scoring from backcourt additions like Kevin Porter Jr., Gary Trent Jr., or others—presumably in future trades or mid-season strikes.
Conclusion
The signing of Myles Turner marks one in every of Milwaukee’s boldest offseason gambles. The 4?12 months, $107 million deal delivers elite rim safety, spacing, and playoff poise. But at what value? The lack of Damian Lillard, cap pressure, and restricted perimeter choices increase actual questions.
Nonetheless, pairing Turner with Giannis offers Milwaukee an imposing two?man frontcourt presence. It’s no assure of a title, however it’s a transparent sign: the Bucks are doubling down. Whether or not the gamble pays off is dependent upon depth, well being, and whether or not Turner can elevate each ends of the ground in a franchise hungry for an additional championship.
For extra on the Turner contract and the Bucks technique, see the official NBA.com report on the deal right here.
