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Bucks make huge free-agency splash amid Giannis trade rumors

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports
By Steve DelVecchio | Last updated Jul 1, 2025 11:53 AM ET

The Milwaukee Bucks made a significant move in free agency on Tuesday, and the signing likely signals that Giannis Antetokounmpo is not going anywhere.

Veteran center Myles Turner has agreed to a 4-year, $107 million contract with the Bucks, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.

The deal includes a player option for a fourth season and a full 15% trade kicker.

BREAKING: Free agent center Myles Turner has agreed to a four-year, $107 million deal with the Milwaukee Bucks, plus a player option for year four in 2028-29 and a full 15% trade kicker, sources tell ESPN. Stunner. pic.twitter.com/MlDkZusVOv
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2025

Turner, 29, spent the first 10 seasons of his NBA career with the Indiana Pacers. He was the longest-tenured member of the team and wanted to remain with the reigning Eastern Conference champions, but they reportedly offered him significantly less money.

There is certainly more dust to settle from Myles Turner landing in Milwaukee, as ESPN reports. I’m being told the big man wanted to remain with the Pacers, who he helped lead to the Finals, but Indiana’s offers for Turner never truly exceeded the three-year, $60 million range.
— Jake Fischer (@JakeLFischer) July 1, 2025

The immediate future looks uncertain for the Pacers after Tyrese Haliburton suffered a torn Achilles during the NBA Finals. That may have been a factor in why they were outbid for Turner.

Turner averaged 15.6 points and 6.5 rebounds across 72 regular-season games this year. He averaged 13.8 points and 4.8 rebounds per game during Indiana’s deep playoff run.

Charania had previously reported that Antetokounmpo is open-minded about playing for a team other than Milwaukee for the first time in his career. The two-time NBA MVP is highly unlikely to request a trade now that the Bucks have signed Turner.

The Eastern Conference is wide open with both Haliburton and Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum expected to miss most of the 2025-26 season due to Achilles injuries. The New York Knicks are also still searching for a new head coach. The setup is perfect for Milwaukee to make a deep run if they continue to make aggressive roster moves.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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