The Milwaukee Bucks made a huge addition to their frontcourt 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. Turner was a key part of the Pacers’ run to the NBA Finals this past season, averaging 13.8 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game as the Pacers were one win away from an NBA title.
Now, Turner signs with the Bucks, one of Indiana’s biggest rivals, and a team that has been knocked out by the Pacers in each of the last two postseasons.
In the aftermath of the signing, head coach of the Indiana Pacers Rick Carlisle was asked by Forbes’ Tony East how they will manage losing Turner in a short three-word message.
“We’ll be fine,” Carlisle said.
“Fine” might be a bit of an optimistic outlook for Carlisle, as the Pacers are now without Turner, and point guard Tyrese Haliburton next season due to an achilles tear suffered in Game 7 of the NBA Finals.
Turner joins Milwaukee amidst uncertainty with Giannis Antetokounmpo’s future with the team. As of now, neither party has indicated they want to move on, and perhaps signing Turner will show Antetokounmpo that the team is still committed to building a contender with him in town.
