Anonymous Indiana Pacers Exec Issues Statement on Myles Turner Leaving for Milwaukee Bucks

Before Tyrese Haliburton tore his right Achilles tendon in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder, the prevailing thought around the league was that Myles Turner would re-sign with the Pacers in free agency.

However, the Pacers’ plans changed after Haliburton got hurt, so much so that they let Turner leave for the Milwaukee Bucks.

“It’s tough,” a Pacers front office executive told NBA reporter Keith Smith of Spotrac. “Myles was so important to everything we’ve been over the last decade. But we have to be smart, both right now and in the future. We feel like we used our assets well to get center options in the building that can help us continue to be a really good team.”

Myles Turner signed a four-year, $108 million contract with the Bucks, who have lost to the Pacers in the first round of the playoffs two years in a row.

“For me, ultimately it was about just staying competitive,” Turner said. “Two years ago, we got to the conference finals. Obviously, last year we got to the Finals. Being a big part of winning basketball just changed my entire perspective on this league. I saw a chance to remain competitive here.”

Turner played in 72 games for the Pacers last season. He averaged 15.6 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 2.0 blocks while shooting 48.1% from the field, 39.6% from beyond the arc and 77.3% from the free-throw line. 

Turner, 29, has career averages of 14.1 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 2.2 blocks. He’s a two-time blocks champion. 

The Bucks waived and stretched Damian Lillard to sign Turner. The organization also re-signed Bobby Portis, Kevin Porter Jr., Gary Trent Jr., Taurean Prince and Jericho Sims and signed Gary Harris.