In a shocking turn of events, Myles Turner has agreed to a four-year contract with the Milwaukee Bucks, who are waiving nine-time All-Star Damian Lillard to make room for the new acquisition.
The deal, confirmed by a source with knowledge of the moves, was reported by The Associated Press on Tuesday.
Turner’s New Deal with the Bucks
Turner, who spent his entire first 10 seasons with the Indiana Pacers, is joining the Bucks on a deal worth $107 million, with a player option at the end of the contract. Turner’s arrival follows the surprising move of waiving Damian Lillard, who had been part of the Bucks roster for the past two seasons.
The 27-year-old center, known for his shot-blocking ability and scoring, will likely fill a critical role in Milwaukee’s lineup. Turner averaged 14.1 points and 6.8 rebounds per game during his time with the Pacers, with an impressive defensive presence.
The Impact of Injuries
Both players’ Achilles tendon injuries played a key role in the decision-making process for this trade. Myles Turner’s deal was partly influenced by the fact that the Pacers’ star guard, Tyrese Haliburton, is expected to miss the entire upcoming season due to a ruptured Achilles tendon he sustained during the NBA Finals.
Haliburton had been playing through what was initially diagnosed as a calf strain before the injury was confirmed.
Similarly, Damian Lillard also suffered an Achilles tendon rupture while playing for the Bucks during the first round of the playoffs against the Pacers.
As a result, Lillard is likely to miss most, if not all, of the coming season. Although Lillard is still owed a significant amount—$112.6 million over the next five seasons—his contract will be stretched out using the NBA’s stretch provision.
Lillard is now free to sign with any team, with the hope that he will fully recover and return to action by the start of the 2026-27 season.
Lillard’s Long-Term Impact
Damian Lillard, who will turn 35 later this month, had a storied career with the Portland Trail Blazers before joining the Bucks. Over his 13-season career, Lillard has averaged 25.1 points and 6.7 assists in 900 regular-season games.
Despite his injury concerns, Lillard remains a seven-time All-NBA selection and is considered one of the league’s top players.
Changes in the Bucks Roster
The Bucks have also been impacted by other free agency moves, including the loss of veteran center Brook Lopez, who joined the Los Angeles Clippers. This shakeup in the Bucks’ roster sets the stage for a new chapter as Milwaukee looks to rebuild its squad with the addition of Turner.
