Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

Milwaukee Bucks: Indiana Pacers 'Caught Off Guard' by Myles Turner Signing

Originally posted on WI Sports Heroics | By Robin M Adams | Last updated Jul 7, 2025 8:39 PM ET

The Milwaukee Bucks may not have a more hated rival right now than the Indiana Pacers. Over the past two seasons, the rivalry between the two Central Division teams has become more tense, with the Pacers knocking the Bucks out of the NBA Playoffs in each of the last two opening rounds. Additionally, their regular season and in-season tournament matchups have seen great moments from players on both teams.

A new chapter of the rivalry was written very recently, during the offseason, with former Pacers center Myles Turner agreeing to sign a four-year $107 million contract with Milwaukee.

And while the Bucks stealing Indiana’s center was reason enough to fuel the rivalry’s fire, the circumstances surrounding Turner’s decision have really poured on the gasoline.

The Indiana Pacers Did Not Know Myles Turner Was Going to Sign with the Milwaukee Bucks

Milwaukee Bucks: Indiana Pacers Apr 29, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) shoots the ball while Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner (33) defends during game five of the first round for the 2024 NBA Playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

Bucks general manager Jon Horst is known for working silently in the shadows, not letting his negotiations leak out even to other NBA front offices. When he was working on the trade for Damian Lillard, one of the conditions he had for starting negotiations was that no one know about them.

And they didn’t until the trade was done.

Similarly, no one around the NBA appeared to know that the Bucks were pursuing Turner in free agency, including the Pacers.

According to Tony East, host of the podcast Locked on Pacers, “It sure sounds like the Pacers found out Myles Turner was signing with the Bucks when Shams tweeted it. Caught them off guard.”

Indeed, fans of many NBA fanbases were shocked when ESPN’s Shams Charania posted on X that Turner was heading to Milwaukee. As it turns out, Indiana had no idea. They thought they were going to be able to re-sign and keep him, especially since he played the first 10 years of his career with them.

As it is, though, the Bucks offered him more money than the Pacers were willing to give anyway, but the surprising nature of his defection to Milwaukee will add a new wrinkle to what has become one of the NBA’s best rivalries.

This article first appeared on WI Sports Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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