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Tyrese Haliburton’s impact on Myles Turner could be a warning sign for Milwaukee Bucks after Damian Lillard’s departure

Originally posted on NBA Analysis Network
By Bergas Agung | Last updated Jul 1, 2025 7:30 PM ET

The Milwaukee Bucks made waves in the free agency market.

First, the Bucks are landing Myles Turner on a four-year, $107 million deal, addressing their frontcourt needs after waiving Damian Lillard.

However, Myles Turner’s arrival carries a troubling warning sign that could derail Milwaukee’s championship aspirations. His effectiveness appears heavily dependent on elite point guard play.

Research reveals Turner’s shocking three-point splits without Haliburton

Michael Pina’s research exposed a concerning trend in Turner’s shooting performance over the past two seasons.

The data reveals Turner made 39.6 percent of his three-pointers with Tyrese Haliburton on the court compared to just 29.9 percent without him.

This dramatic 10-percentage-point difference highlights Turner’s dependency on Haliburton’s elite playmaking and pick-and-roll execution.

Turner’s reputation as a floor-stretching center becomes questionable without proper point guard support.

Milwaukee’s decision to waive Lillard eliminates their most talented playmaker, potentially limiting Turner’s effectiveness.

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Kevin Porter Jr. cannot replace Haliburton’s elite facilitation skills

With Lillard gone, the Bucks must rely on Kevin Porter Jr. as their primary point guard option. Porter’s questionable playmaking ability and inconsistent decision-making create serious concerns about maximizing Turner’s potential.

Porter lacks Haliburton’s court vision and pick-and-roll mastery that made Turner so effective in Indiana.

The developmental gap between these point guards could significantly impact Turner’s production and overall team chemistry.

Milwaukee’s championship window depends on Turner performing at his peak level, but their current roster construction may prevent him from reaching that ceiling without proper facilitator support.

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Finals performance exposed another Turner’s limitations

Turner’s disappointing Finals performance against the Oklahoma City Thunder revealed another struggle that he had.

He averaged only 10.6 points and 4.4 rebounds while shooting a dismal 21.4% from three-point range during the championship series.

Defensively, Turner managed 1.4 blocks per game but struggled against elite ball handlers like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

His defensive limitations became more apparent when facing versatile offensive players who could exploit his weaknesses.

Giannis partnership cannot solve Milwaukee’s playmaking problems

While playing alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo should improve Turner’s defensive impact, it cannot address the fundamental playmaking deficiency.

The Bucks lack a point guard capable of replicating Haliburton’s elite facilitating skills.

The Bucks face an urgent need to acquire a legitimate playmaker who can unlock Turner’s floor-stretching potential.

Without addressing this critical weakness, their expensive investment in Turner may fail to produce championship-level results, leaving Milwaukee’s title window in serious jeopardy.

This article first appeared on NBA Analysis Network and was syndicated with permission.

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