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Milwaukee Bucks: Myles Turner Was Insultingly Lowballed by Indiana Pacers During Contract Talks

Originally posted on WI Sports Heroics | By Robin M Adams | Last updated Jul 2, 2025 12:07 AM ET

For the second time in the last three years, the Milwaukee Bucks have shocked the NBA world by making an unexpected roster move that no one saw coming. Three years ago, it was trading Jrue Holiday to the Portland Trailblazers for Damian Lillard. At the time, the hope was that pairing Lillard with Giannis Antetokounmpo would lead Milwaukee back to the NBA Finals.

Of course, it did not. Injuries to Giannis in 2023-24 and then to Lillard in 2024-25 kept the pair from playing more than 29 minutes of playoff basketball together in their two seasons as teammates.

And now, Milwaukee has waived Lillard in order to be able to sign former Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner.

The Milwaukee Bucks Signed Former Indiana Pacers Center Myles Turner

Milwaukee Bucks: Myles Turner Was Insultingly Lowballed by Indiana Pacers During Contract Talks 1 Apr 23, 2024; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner (33) reacts in the second half against the Milwaukee Bucks during game two of the first round for the 2024 NBA playoffs at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-USA TODAY Sports

On Tuesday, it was reported that the Bucks had decided to waive Lillard. By doing so, they guaranteed all of his $110+ million remaining salary over the next two seasons, which will be spread out over the next five years. In other words, Lillard will count for $22 million against Milwaukee’s salary cap for the next five seasons.

But the trade-off was that, by doing so, the Bucks could afford to give the former Pacers center a four-year $107 million contract.

Last season, Turner averaged 15.6 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks per game while shooting 39% from three. He is a younger version of Brook Lopez, who departed Milwaukee for the Los Angeles Clippers when NBA free agency opened on Monday.

In 10 seasons with Indiana, Turner averaged 14.1 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks per game. He finished in the top-ten of Defensive Player of the Year voting twice and led the league in blocks twice.

New Milwaukee Bucks Center Myles Turner Was Lowballed by the Indiana Pacers

Milwaukee Bucks: Myles Turner Was Insultingly Lowballed by Indiana Pacers During Contract Talks 2 May 27, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner (33) during the third quarter during game four of the eastern conference finals for the 2024 NBA playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

There was a time when Turner, and Pacers fans, believed he would spend his entire NBA career with Indiana. However, as free agency approached this year, the organization made it clear that they were not as serious about it as he was.

According to a post from NBA insider Jake Fischer, the Pacers never offered Turner anything above $20 million a season:

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 Bucks, of course, are paying Turner just under $27 million a year on his four-year contract, which includes a player option for the final season.

This development must truly be a massive disappointment to Pacers fans, who went from believing one of their most popular players would stay in Indiana for his entire career to seeing him sign with their most hated rivals.

And all because the front office didn’t want to pay him what he was worth.