Myles Turner Explains Why He Left Pacers for Bucks: It’s About Staying Competitive

Myles Turner has officially closed the chapter on his time with the Indiana Pacers and opened a new one with the Milwaukee Bucks. And the expectations are clear — win now.

The veteran center posted a heartfelt letter on social media Thursday addressing his departure from the Pacers. On Friday, he spoke publicly for the first time since signing with the Bucks, sitting alongside coach Doc Rivers and general manager Jon Horst at NBA Summer League.

“For me, ultimately it was about just staying competitive,” Turner said, via Michael C. Wright of ESPN. “Two years ago, we got to the conference finals. 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 also cited the opportunity to team up with two-time MVP and 2021 NBA Finals MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Bucks signed Turner to a four-year, $108.9 million deal that includes a player option for the 2028-29 season. To make the move possible, Milwaukee waived nine-time All-Star Damian Lillard and stretched the remaining $113 million on his contract.

Turner, 29, was the longest-tenured player in Indiana after spending 10 seasons with the Pacers. This past year, he shot a career-best 39.6 percent from three-point range and averaged 15.6 points, 6.5 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game.

“We had multiple paths throughout the course of the offseason,” Horst said. “All our offseason planning before acquiring Myles was centered around how we could take this team to the next level. Myles was sitting there as the best free agent on the market.”

Horst said the front office explored ways to modernize the team’s style, better complement Antetokounmpo, and address areas exposed in the postseason. Turner, he added, fit all of those needs.

“These are big decisions with major financial and roster implications,” Horst said. “But you get comfortable making them when you have the chance to bring in a player like this. You watch him next to Giannis and you can see the potential with the rest of our core, which is already built to maximize Giannis.”

It remains unclear how involved Antetokounmpo was in the decision to bring Turner in or to move on from Lillard. Horst and Rivers said the organization has remained in contact with Antetokounmpo throughout the summer. Turner said he and Giannis have exchanged brief messages but have not had in-depth conversations yet.

“I was tired of taking damned shoulders and elbows to the chest all the time,” Turner joked about his years of defending Antetokounmpo. “It’s rare to get to play with a guy like him. He’s a generational player, arguably one of the greatest to ever play this game.”

Turner said he is familiar with Antetokounmpo’s style and sees a strong on-court fit.

“He can push the ball, create for others, get out in transition. He’s even developed a jumper. Defensively, his intangibles are all there,” Turner said. “From my perspective, it should be a very cohesive fit.”

The Bucks have been active on the market, signing veterans Gary Trent Jr., Taurean Prince and Ryan Rollins, and re-signing Bobby Portis. Turner said that level of activity speaks volumes about the organization’s mindset.

“There’s a reason those guys signed here. Everybody sees the vision,” Turner said. “They didn’t sign just to do it. There’s a real belief in what’s being built. I’ve aligned myself with that.”

Turner set a franchise playoff record with 46 blocks during Indiana’s Finals run and was viewed by Rivers and Horst as an ideal pairing with Antetokounmpo. They see him as a floor-spacing big man who can help drive the up-tempo style Milwaukee wants to play.

“Giannis came to me the day after the season and we were already talking about next year,” Rivers said. “There’s a lot more speculation outside of Milwaukee than there is inside. Giannis loves being here. We love having him. It has been a great relationship.”

That relationship now includes a new frontcourt partner with a proven track record and the scars to prove it. Turner is done trying to stop Giannis. Now he is joining him in the hunt for a championship.