Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle expressed surprise over Myles Turner‘s free agent departure to the Milwaukee Bucks this offseason. The move caught many off guard, especially as the Pacers were prepared to invest heavily to retain their longtime center. Carlisle highlighted how Milwaukee managed to create sufficient cap space through strategic moves, including waiving Damian Lillard and spreading out his contract, which allowed them to extend an offer Turner and his agent found difficult to refuse. This financial maneuvering ultimately led to Turner signing with a division rival.
Reflections on Turner’s Tenure with the Pacers
Carlisle praised Turner’s commitment to the Indiana Pacers during his decade with the team. He emphasized Turner’s loyalty, noting how the center often dismissed trade rumors and remained fully dedicated to the franchise. Despite the respect and intent from the Pacers’ management to retain him—even being willing to exceed luxury tax limits—the circumstances changed rapidly, leading to his departure. Carlisle expressed a respectful tone, choosing to give Turner the benefit of the doubt amid some of the discussions surrounding his exit.
“We’ll certainly miss Myles. There was a lot of talk about some of the the things that he said as he left. But, we’re going to give Myles the benefit of the doubt on all of that stuff. The guy was a Pacer through and through for 10 years. He lived and breathed it. He disregarded trade rumors when they happened. He was all about Indiana all the time. This franchise was ready to go as far into the tax as we needed to to keep him. But things can change quickly. He’s moved on. He’s a division rival.” —Rick Carlisle, Indiana Pacers Head Coach
Adjusting the Center Role After Turner’s Exit
With Turner‘s move to Milwaukee, the Pacers are facing a reorganization of their center position. The team plans to roll out a rotation that includes newly acquired Jay Huff, among others. Carlisle’s track record with developing effective big men brings optimism that the team can compensate for Turner’s absence on the court. Although Turner had been a significant presence patrolling the paint, the Pacers aim to maintain competitive production in the position through strategic reshuffling and player development.
Wider Challenges for the Pacers This Season
Beyond Turner‘s departure, the Indiana Pacers are also dealing with the absence of guard Tyrese Haliburton, who is in recovery from a torn Achilles. Haliburton’s injury leaves a significant gap in the backcourt, adding to Carlisle’s challenges in preparing a competitive lineup. Despite these hurdles, much of the roster remains intact, offering a foundation to build upon as the team looks ahead to the upcoming Eastern Conference battles. Carlisle’s reflections reveal a calm and calculated approach heading into a season of adjustments and facing tough new divisional competition.
“Yeah, I was surprised. I was surprised. But, it’s pretty clear what happened. Milwaukee found a way to come up with enough cap space in a very short period of time. It’s my guess that they did all of this by waiving [Damian] Lillard and stretching him and all that sorta stuff that created $20 million extra in space. I think what happened was they talked to Myles’ agent/Myles and his agent and said ‘Look, we have this offer. This is a number that you guys are trying to get to. We need to know that if we offer this, you guys are going to take it.’ That’s a frequent tactic of negotiations. Pretty clearly, they took the offer — it’s their right to do it.” —Rick Carlisle, Indiana Pacers Head Coach
Looking Ahead: The Pacers’ Next Steps
The 2025-2026 season will test the Pacers’ resilience as they adapt to significant roster changes. The loss of Myles Turner in free agency and Tyrese Haliburton‘s injury recovery place added pressure on the team’s depth and development strategies. With Carlisle’s leadership and a focus on integrating new talent like Jay Huff, the Pacers are working to remain competitive within the tough Eastern Conference. Fans and analysts will be closely watching how the team integrates these changes and whether they can reclaim their status as contenders in the coming months.