Mar 20, 2023; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner (33) slaps hands with Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle as he goes to the bench during the first half against the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Nell Redmond-Imagn Images Nell Redmond-Imagn Images

Rick Carlisle Breaks Silence on Pacers Shockingly Losing Myles Turner to Rival

Originally posted on Indianapolis Pacers on SI
By Ryan Stano | Last updated Jul 10, 2025 1:14 PM ET

The Indiana Pacers will have a new starting center for the first time in 10 years. He decided to leave Indiana to head to Milwaukee to play for the Bucks on a four-year, $108.9 million deal.

It was a move that no one in Indiana was expecting. No one figured that Milwaukee was going to open up cap space for the Bucks to be able to take Turner away from the Pacers.

Before free agency started, Rick Carlisle made it known that the Pacers wanted to bring Turner back and that he was an important part of what they do.

More news: Did Tyrese Haliburton Injury Impact Myles Turner's Decision to Leave Pacers for Bucks?

For the first time, Carlisle spoke about Turner leaving the Pacers. Speaking about it on Green Light with Chris Long, he seemed frustrated, but also understanding of how it all went down.

Rick Carlisle on Myles Turner unexpectedly leaving to sign with Milwaukee

Full interview with Rick Carlisle coming soon https://t.co/sb25fSmb2T pic.twitter.com/8fMnCZJmEF
— Green Light with Chris Long (@greenlight) July 9, 2025

"Losing Myles Turner is a significant loss for our team. I mean, the guy's been a terrific player. He's had a great season, and look, we were talking to them (his agent) about him returning. And really, kind of out of nowhere, Milwaukee decided to waive Damian Lillard and stretch his contract, stretch his money out over whatever number of years you can do it by rule, and they created space to sign Myles."

Carlisle was certainly disappointed that they didn't get a chance to bring him back. He is a big part of what the Pacers do on offense because of his ability to stretch the floor at the center position.

More news: Pacers Doing 'Deep Dive' on Rise of Achilles Injuries in Organization After Tyrese Haliburton

While it's disappointing not to bring Turner back, Carlisle acknowledged that this is part of the business of the NBA. He knows that this is how the NBA works.

He believes that Milwaukee gave him this deal, but told him he had to take it and couldn't shop it. That's probably why Turner is now in Milwaukee as opposed to still in Indiana.

Now, Carlisle will have to find someone else to fill his role and be the new starting center for years to come.

This past season with the Pacers, Turner averaged 15.6 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game.

More news: Doctors Told Pacers' Tyrese Haliburton He Had Low Chance of Rupturing Achilles After Calf Injury

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This article first appeared on Indianapolis Pacers on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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