Myles Turner recently ended his decade-long tenure with the Indiana Pacers to sign with the Milwaukee Bucks, sharing his reasons during a live stream with Kyrie Irving. Turner described his decision regarding the “Myles Turner Bucks Decision” as a practical choice made for the benefit of both his career and his family.
Turner’s Perspective on Leaving Indiana for Milwaukee
Turner emphasized that his transition to the Bucks was not some fairy tale or dramatic change.
“At the end of the day, bro, it’s not a Cinderella story, you know what I mean? I think that’s how people are trying to form this,”
Turner stated. He expressed gratitude for the support he received throughout his 10-year career in Indiana but affirmed that he felt Milwaukee offered the best opportunity for his prime years, both professionally and personally:
“I wanted to be thankful, for just the people that rock with me the entire time, my 10-year journey in Indiana, but also let them realize that at this time I made the best decision for my family, made the best decision for me and myself going into my prime, and this is how I saw fit.”
—Myles Turner, Milwaukee Bucks player
Details Behind the Contract and Pacers’ Reaction
Turner agreed to a four-year, $107 million contract with the Bucks after reportedly receiving offers below the market value from the Pacers, as reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania. This offer gap played a significant role in his decision to leave the team where he had spent his entire NBA career.
Indiana’s president of basketball operations, Kevin Pritchard, expressed surprise at Turner’s choice.
“I was shocked. If I’m being perfectly honest, again, I thought we were kind of going back and forth in an open way,”
Pritchard remarked. He acknowledged good relations with Turner’s agency but admitted the Bucks’ proposal seemed more appealing:
“We’ve done big deals with that agency, and they’re great guys and we’ll be doing more business with them. But Myles must’ve heard something in that (Bucks offer) that said, ‘I’m gonna take it right now.’”
—Kevin Pritchard, Indiana Pacers president of basketball operations
Turner Highlights Milwaukee’s Competitiveness as a Key Factor
The main motivation for Turner’s move was to stay in contention for an NBA championship. Citing his experiences reaching the Eastern Conference Finals two years ago and the NBA Finals last season with the Pacers, Turner explained that winning basketball reshaped his perspective on the league. He saw the Bucks as a venue to maintain a high level of competition.
“For me, ultimately it was about just staying competitive,”
Turner said.
“Two years ago, we got to the conference finals. Obviously, 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.”
—Myles Turner
His new team features superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, who consistently keeps Milwaukee in the championship conversation. However, questions remain about the future if Giannis opts to request a trade, which could affect Turner’s long-term plans.
Turner Addresses Reactions From Pacers Fans
After committing to the Bucks, Turner expressed frustration with some Indiana fans’ reactions.
“Even in my time there, there’s a lot of people that wanted me off the team, and now they got what they wanted, and now they’re complaining, still,”
Turner said during an NBA TV Summer League broadcast. Despite the mixed reception, he acknowledged Indiana as his home for a decade and the place where he helped revive the franchise, reiterating that his journey was never meant to be a “Cinderella story.”
What This Means for Turner and the Bucks Going Forward
Turner’s decision signifies a critical moment in his career, where personal growth, family considerations, and competitive aims aligned. By choosing Milwaukee, he embraces an environment focused on immediate championship prospects, which may shape the next phase of his professional life. For the Bucks, adding Turner strengthens their frontcourt depth as they pursue another title run.
Meanwhile, Indiana faces the challenge of moving forward without a long-time cornerstone, as it recalibrates its roster and fan expectations. Turner’s candid remarks highlight the complexities athletes face when weighing loyalty against career advancement, and how those choices resonate with supporters.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What happened to Myles Turner?
A. Myles Turner didn’t share many details about the talks that convinced him to sign a four-year deal worth $108.9 million with the Bucks. He mentioned that teaming up with Giannis Antetokounmpo in Milwaukee offered his best opportunity to succeed in the NBA.
Q. Is Myles Turner a 3 point shooter?
A. Throughout his career, Myles Turner has averaged 3.3 attempts at shooting three-pointers per game.