Bucks Create Fearsome Frontcourt WIth Myles Turner Signing

Bucks Swing Big

Since the huge swing in Jrue Holiday, trading five first-round picks and swaps in a move that was pivotal in the team’s 2021 NBA Championship, the Bucks have been involved in shocking transactions.

No one expected the Bucks to acquire Lillard. The Turner signing, though, may have been more surprising. The Bucks came out of nowhere to snag the best center on the market in Turner.

Bucks General Manager Jon Horst was able to swoop in and acquire the center. However, to make it possible the Bucks had to waive and stretch Lillard.

Many pundits across the league thought Turner returning to Indiana was a forgone conclusion. Also, as Tim Bontemps said on ESPN right after the huge transactions, the Bucks didn’t have the cap space because no team has ever gone this route before. It was a “pretty seismic move” by the Bucks.

Damian Lillard‘s contract was by far the most in a waive and stretch scenario (Phoenix then came close in the Bradley Beal saga). It was a massive win-now move as the Bucks didn’t want to go a year in Giannis’ prime without being a contender as Lillard is expected to miss all of next year with his Achilles rehab.

While it stinks losing Lillard, having a seemingly lost year in Giannis’ prime wasn’t something Horst and the Bucks were willing to do.

Turner Fits Perfectly With Giannis

Turner fills a huge void for the Bucks. When Brook Lopez signed with the Clippers the Bucks had a glaring hole at center. With the bold move, the Bucks should have an elite frontcourt combo in Giannis and Turner.

Turner is a younger, athletic Lopez. Last season, Turner shot 39.6% from 3 and is an ideal fit next to Giannis as a stretch 5. He averaged 15.6 points, 6.5 rebounds and shot over 48% from the floor on a 61.2% true-shooting percentage.

Turner has had a true-shooting percentage over 61% each of the last four seasons.

The Turner and Giannis combo isn’t just enticing offensively. The frontcourt duo should be a dominant rim protecting unit for Milwaukee.

When Lopez was younger and more spry, Giannis and Lopez anchored the Bucks’ defense. Turner is far more athletic than Lopez and is only 29 years old. With Lopez the Bucks ranked among the NBA’s best defenses most years and the Bucks likely envision getting back to that with Turner.

Turner has twice led the NBA in blocked shots and averaged 2 blocks per game in 2024-’25. Turner has averaged 2.2 blocks per game during his 10-year career. He has blocked 140 or more shots each of the last three years.

Despite this, Turner has never finished higher than fifth in Defensive Player of the Year voting, although amassing nearly 27 defensive win shares in his career.

Bucks Have the Best Frontcourt in the NBA

With the re-signing of Bobby Portis and the Turner acquisition with Giannis, the Bucks might have the most formidable frontcourt in the NBA. Throw in the re-signing of Jericho Sims and the Bucks are set at the 4 and 5 spots.

Giannis is a generational superstar who averaged 30.4 points, nearly 12 rebounds and 6.5 assists per game on over 60% shooting last year.  Throw in Giannis’ defensive prowess with Turner’s two-way ability and that is a tantalizing duo.

Add in Portis’ 13.9 points, 8.4 rebounds and 36.4% shooting from 3 and the Bucks have a strong argument to indeed be the best frontcourt. Sims is a solid switchable big who can bring energy and a lob threat.

Are the Bucks Done This Offseason?

The Bucks’ frontcourt will be the staple of this year’s squad, but Horst also has kept some vital perimeter pieces as well.

Sharpshooters Gary Trent Jr. and AJ Green are back. Ryan Rollins and Kevin Porter Jr. were re-signed. Cole Anthony and Gary Harris were signed in free agency.

The one glaring hole for the Bucks is a long, wing defender in the coveted 3 and D mold. If the Bucks could move Kyle Kuzma and Andre Jackson Jr. for that piece and hold onto their 2031 first round pick, the Bucks will have had the perfectly envisioned offseason.

The Turner signing has set the Bucks up with a phenomenal frontcourt for years to come.