The NBA offseason always brings its share of surprises, but few moves have sparked as much conversation as Myles Turner’s decision to leave the Indiana Pacers and sign with the Milwaukee Bucks. After a decade anchoring Indiana’s frontcourt, Turner’s leap to a division rival has sent shockwaves through the league—and nowhere is the impact felt more than in the simmering rivalry between the Pacers and the Bucks. As the 2025-2026 season looms, fans and players alike are bracing for a new chapter in this heated matchup, with Turner’s switch at the heart of it all.
Turner’s move came hot on the heels of the Bucks’ bold salary cap maneuver: in early July, Milwaukee waived Damian Lillard and stretched the remaining $103 million on his contract, freeing up space for Turner’s free agency signing. For many, this signaled a seismic shift in the Bucks’ priorities, trading a superstar scorer for a defensive stalwart just as the window to contend remains wide open. Turner, a two-time NBA blocks leader, averaged 14.1 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 2.2 blocks per game across his ten seasons in Indiana—a stat line that speaks to his reliability and versatility on both ends of the floor.
Andrew Nembhard, Turner’s former teammate and now a key figure in Indiana’s backcourt, didn’t mince words when discussing the move on the “Hello and Welcome” podcast. “I mean, at the end of the day, I want to see him do well, you know? Glad he got paid, and wishing him success in the future... not against us,” Nembhard said, adding, “But for himself. I think it just builds into the rivalry that we already got going. It’s going to be an exciting matchup this year. It’s going to get even better than before, now that we’re not on the same team anymore.”
That rivalry has been brewing for some time. Recent seasons have seen the Pacers and Bucks clash in high-stakes contests, from Indiana’s victory over Milwaukee in the inaugural In-Season Tournament to the fiery playoff series that ended with Giannis Antetokounmpo’s confrontation with Tyrese Haliburton’s father. Now, with Turner donning Bucks green, the animosity has reached a new peak. The first meeting between the two squads is set for November 3, 2025—a date already circled on calendars in both cities.
For the Pacers, Turner’s departure is more than just a personnel loss; it’s a cultural one. Throughout his tenure in Indiana, Turner was lauded for his ability to stretch the floor, protect the rim, and keep pace with speedy point guard Tyrese Haliburton. He wasn’t without flaws—when his shot faltered, his offensive impact diminished, and he was never heralded as an elite rebounder—but his defensive presence and ability to run the court made him a linchpin in Indiana’s system. As the franchise seeks to re-establish itself as a title contender, filling the void left by Turner is priority number one.
The search for Turner’s replacement has already begun. Indiana made a quick move to acquire Jay Huff from the Memphis Grizzlies, a big man whose skillset mirrors Turner’s in several ways. Huff, along with Isaiah Jackson, James Wiseman, and Tony Bradley, gives the Pacers a handful of options to experiment with as training camp unfolds. But as of now, uncertainty reigns. Can any of these players replicate Turner’s unique blend of shot-blocking and perimeter shooting? Only time will tell, but there’s no question that Indiana will feel Turner’s absence as the season gets underway.
Meanwhile, Milwaukee’s gamble on Turner is about more than just defense. With Brook Lopez aging out of his prime years, the Bucks needed a fresh anchor in the paint—a role Turner is more than equipped to fill. ESPN’s Kevin Pelton recently weighed in, stating, “Myles Turner's defensive upside isn't quite as high as Brook Lopez's. Love me some Splash Mountain. Always. Still a worthy rim protector at 37. But Turner is 8 years younger, far more versatile, and has led the NBA in blocks this decade. C’mon.” The Bucks are betting that Turner’s youth and versatility will help them maintain their status as an Eastern Conference powerhouse.
Yet, there are questions about how much the Bucks can—or should—ask of their new center. Turner’s career scoring average hovers just above 14 points per game, and he’s rarely been tasked with being a team’s second-leading scorer. In Indiana, he was often the third or fourth option, which allowed him to focus his energy on defense. Now, with many labeling him Milwaukee’s second-best player after Giannis Antetokounmpo (and the money supporting that claim), the temptation to lean heavily on Turner’s offense is strong.
Some analysts have sounded the alarm, cautioning that overloading Turner could lead to burnout. “Defense has always been his calling card due to his incredible versatility. The two-time Block Champion will surely help the Bucks in that area, but his impact could potentially take a step back if they are also asking him to average nearly 20 points per game,” one pundit noted. The Bucks’ coaching staff, led by Doc Rivers, will need to strike a delicate balance—leveraging Turner’s strengths without sapping his energy for what matters most: defense.
Fortunately for Milwaukee, there’s no shortage of players ready to step up offensively. Kevin Porter Jr. is widely seen as a candidate for Most Improved Player, with hopes he can recapture the scoring spark he showed in Houston. Kyle Kuzma, another offseason acquisition, is aiming for a bounce-back year, while Gary Trent Jr. has proven he can put up big numbers when given the opportunity. The Bucks’ starting lineup decisions will be pivotal; if Rivers opts to start both Porter and Trent, Turner may be able to focus on anchoring the defense rather than carrying the offensive load.
Amid all the roster shuffling, Turner himself has embraced the challenge of his new city and team. In a livestream with Kyrie Irving, Turner reflected on his decision: “At the end of the day, bro, it’s not a Cinderella story, you know what I mean? I wanted to be thankful for everyone who rocked with me during my 10-year journey in Indiana, but I also had to make the best decision for my family and myself heading into my prime.” His comments underscore a sense of gratitude for his time in Indiana, but also a clear-eyed focus on the future.
As the Bucks prepare for the new season, there’s a sense of both excitement and uncertainty. The team’s new-look roster has raised eyebrows, with some experts predicting offense could be Milwaukee’s Achilles’ heel. Yet, with Giannis still in his prime, Turner patrolling the paint, and a cast of hungry supporting players, the Bucks remain firmly in the mix for Eastern Conference supremacy.
With the first Pacers-Bucks showdown of the season just weeks away, anticipation is building. Will Turner’s arrival tip the scales in Milwaukee’s favor, or will Indiana find a way to thrive in his absence? One thing’s for sure: this rivalry just got a major boost, and basketball fans won’t want to miss a second of the action.
