BREAKING NEWS: Myles Turner Inks Four-Year, $107 Million Deal with Milwaukee Bucks, Includes 2028-29 Player Option and 15% Trade Kicker
In a blockbuster move that has sent shockwaves across the NBA landscape, veteran center and former Indiana Pacers defensive anchor Myles Turner has agreed to join the Milwaukee Bucks on a four-year, $107 million contract, sources close to the league have confirmed. The deal includes a player option for the fourth year (2028-29) and a full 15% trade kicker, adding strategic flexibility and financial benefits for the 28-year-old big man.
This high-profile signing immediately reshapes the Bucks’ championship aspirations and signals a bold commitment from both Turner and Milwaukee’s front office to push all their chips to the center of the table in pursuit of another NBA title.
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A New Era in Milwaukee: Turner Joins Giannis and Dame
With the acquisition of Myles Turner, the Milwaukee Bucks now boast one of the league’s most formidable defensive frontcourts. Pairing Turner alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo, arguably the best two-way player in the league, gives head coach Doc Rivers a potent combination of rim protection, rebounding, and switchable defense.
Throw in Damian Lillard’s offensive firepower and Khris Middleton’s veteran savvy, and the Bucks have retooled their core with a perfect blend of size, skill, and experience. Turner’s elite shot-blocking and ever-improving perimeter shooting are seen as the missing pieces in the Bucks’ effort to return to championship glory.
“This is a dream scenario,” said an anonymous Bucks front office executive. “Myles gives us the kind of defensive flexibility and interior dominance we’ve missed since the decline of Brook Lopez. We’re excited to welcome him to Milwaukee.”
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The Deal: A Strategic Commitment from Both Sides
The financials of Turner’s contract demonstrate not only his market value but also the mutual confidence shared by both player and organization:
Total value: $107 million over four years
Average annual salary: $26.75 million
Fourth-year player option: Gives Turner control over his future as he enters his early 30s
15% trade kicker: Guarantees compensation if traded, a sign of commitment from Milwaukee and security for Turner
The inclusion of a trade kicker reflects Turner’s increasing leverage in the league as a high-impact two-way big man. It also makes any future trade involving Turner more financially challenging, signaling the Bucks’ intent to build around him long-term
Turner’s Journey: From Indiana to Championship Contender
Myles Turner has spent the entirety of his nine-year career with the Indiana Pacers, who drafted him 11th overall in the 2015 NBA Draft. During his time in Indiana, he evolved from a promising young prospect into one of the league’s premier rim protectors.
He led the NBA in blocks per game multiple times and built a reputation as a defensive anchor who could stretch the floor offensively. Turner’s ability to shoot from beyond the arc, combined with his mobility and timing on defense, made him a rare commodity in today’s pace-and-space NBA.
Despite his individual brilliance, Turner’s tenure with the Pacers was marred by inconsistency at the team level. Indiana cycled through coaching changes and roster adjustments but failed to make deep playoff runs. While he remained loyal and professional throughout, there was always a sense that Turner’s talent belonged on a bigger stage.
Now, he has that opportunity.
Why Milwaukee?
Turner’s choice to sign with Milwaukee came down to several key factors:
1. Championship Contention
With Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard under contract, the Bucks are firmly in win-now mode. The opportunity to compete for a title immediately was a major pull for Turner, who has yet to make it past the first round in his career.
2. Defensive Identity
The Bucks’ defensive schemes under Doc Rivers promise to maximize Turner’s shot-blocking and perimeter mobility. With Giannis able to guard multiple positions and Turner patrolling the paint, Milwaukee now has one of the league’s most intimidating defensive duos.
3. Offensive Fit
Turner’s ability to space the floor as a center fits seamlessly next to a slashing force like Giannis and a pick-and-roll maestro like Lillard. Turner hit a career-best 37.3% from three last season on 3.5 attempts per game, making him one of the best shooting bigs in the league.
4. Market and Legacy
Milwaukee may be a small market, but it’s a city with a passionate fan base, strong organizational culture, and recent championship pedigree. For Turner, who has long been underappreciated nationally, this is a chance to cement his legacy on a much larger stage.
Reaction Around the League
The news of Turner’s signing was met with immediate buzz across social media and sports talk shows. NBA insiders were quick to praise the Bucks’ front office for making such a high-impact acquisition without compromising their existing star core.
Adrian Wojnarowski called the signing “a low-key seismic shift in the East,” while Shams Charania tweeted that Milwaukee “just added a top-tier rim protector and floor spacer to an already elite core.”
Eastern Conference rivals like the Boston Celtics, New York Knicks, and Philadelphia 76ers will undoubtedly be taking note as Milwaukee retools and reloads for another run at the Larry O’Brien Trophy.
What This Means for Indiana
Turner’s departure marks the end of an era in Indiana. As the Pacers continue to build around young stars like Tyrese Haliburton and Bennedict Mathurin, Turner’s exit creates a hole in the frontcourt but also opens cap flexibility.
Indiana’s front office issued a statement thanking Turner for his years of service:
> “Myles Turner represented the Indiana Pacers with class, consistency, and elite-level performance on and off the court. We are proud of what he accomplished in a Pacers uniform and wish him nothing but success in the next chapter of his career.
Looking Ahead: Milwaukee’s Championship Window Reopens
With Myles Turner now officially part of the Bucks’ future, the team is positioned to make a serious push for another title. The synergy between Turner’s defensive capabilities and Milwaukee’s offensive firepower could very well be the final piece in an already elite roster.
That lineup is as balanced as it gets—offensive spacing, elite perimeter play, rebounding, and shot-blocking all accounted for.
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Final Thoughts
In a league where big-man versatility is gold and defensive presence wins championships, Myles Turner’s move to Milwaukee may prove to be one of the most impactful free agency signings of the decade. It’s a union of ambition and ability, of opportunity and readiness.
For Turner, this isn’t just a new team—it’s a chance to redefine his career and pursue the glory that has eluded him so far. For Milwaukee, it’s a definitive answer to critics questioning their post-
title trajectory.
As the 2025-26 NBA season approaches, one thing is clear: the Bucks are not just back—they’re dangerous.
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