The Milwaukee Bucks made a key addition to their roster this offseason when they signed Myles Turner to a four-year, $108 million deal.
Turner spent the first 10 seasons of his career with the Indiana Pacers where he averaged 14.1 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per game. He was also crucial to the team’s run to the NBA Finals this past season, where they lost in seven games to Oklahoma City Thunder.
Now, Turner joins the Bucks to help maximize their own championship window.
In a recent interview with SiriusXM NBA Radio, Turner detailed why he chose Milwaukee — one of the Pacers’ biggest rivals — over the team he’s spent his entire career with.
“I feel that Milwaukee valued me a bit more. And I think that they tried a little harder,” Turner said. “But at the end of the day, it’s not for me to discuss right now. I just know out of respect for that organization, out of respect for my incoming organization right now. It was an interesting process.”
Turner, 29, also says he chose the Bucks due to seeing them as a more competitive team long-term has enters the second half of his career.
“For me, personally, I want a chance to stay competitive,” he said. “I looked at the way this roster with Milwaukee is constructed and how I can come in and use my talents to try to get back to that fold. So, I won’t say that it played a part in my ultimate decision. It may have played a factor in the front office’s decisions. But that’s not for me to discuss.”
There is still uncertainty regarding Giannis Antetokounmpo’s future in Milwaukee. But for now, Turner and Antetokounmpo will make up the Bucks’ new frontcourt as they look to make noise in the Eastern Conference.
