Myles Turner stirs Bucks excitement and shades former Pacers

Turner seemed to throw a subtle jab at his former team during Milwaukee’s media day. After leaving Indiana in free agency, he had been a key contributor to the Pacers’ playoff run. Despite widespread expectations that he would remain with Indiana, Turner chose to join the Bucks, a direct competitor of his former team.

“I’m embracing change— embracing this cool part of my career. I’m heading into my prime. I’m in a city now that wants to celebrate me. There’s a great quote that says ‘go where you’re celebrated’. I feel like that’s here. People are excited to have me here,” Turner said while addressing the media via Bucks Lead on X (formerly Twitter).

Myles Turner’s new era with the Bucks

Pacers fans probably did not take kindly to Turner’s comment, particularly after he struggled in the team’s Finals series against the Oklahoma City Thunder. If he had performed at even an average level, the Pacers could very well be NBA champions today.

Outside the Finals spotlight, Turner stands as one of the league’s top centers and should give the Bucks a younger, more athletic version of the rim protection and floor spacing that Brook Lopez provided for years.

Turner’s arrival gives Antetokounmpo another reliable target for spot-up threes when he draws double or triple teams, and it also allows Giannis more freedom to patrol the perimeter on defense, confident he has a solid rim protector backing him up.

At this stage, it’s uncertain whether adding Turner will be enough for the Bucks to contend at a high level. The first test will come on October 22 when Milwaukee hits the court for the opening game of the 2025-26 season against the Washington Wizards.