date: July 3, 2025
Milwaukee Bucks are one of the most dramatic rosters in the 2025 NBA offseason: Signing for Free Agent Center Myers Turnerformerly Indiana Pacers, reached four years, with a $107 million deal. The move requires the team to abandon and extend Damian Lillard’s contract to create the necessary cap space. Here is a breakdown of the agreement, what it means for Milwaukee’s present and future, and expert comments on whether this will help or hurt.
Contract details
- semester: In 4 years, US$107 million.
- Player Options: In the fourth year (2028?29).
- Trade kickers: Full 15%.
- Average annual salary: It is about $26.75 million per season.
This is the highest paid contract Turner has ever made. At the start of the deal, he will be 29, providing Giannis Antetokounmpo (and some LEGO mastered) experience for Milwaukee’s main years of protection, spacing and experience. Player options and trade kickers provide Turner flexibility late in the trade while providing some manipulativeness to Milwaukee.
To clear the cap space, the Bucks use the NBA’s “stretch clause” to exempt Damian Lillard – her salary will still be allocated $113 million over five seasons, about $22.5 million a year. This move, coupled with abandoning or trading other contracts (such as Pat Connaughton and Chris Livingston), allows them to land directly on Turner rather than through trade. source
Why did the Bucks do this
1. Strengthen the frontcourt
Turner brought Elite Rim Protection – he led the league in 2019 and 2021, with an average of two blocks per game last season. His ability to guard paint and anchor defense solved the Bucks’ weakness in center after Brook Lopez’s departure.
2. Large floor spacing
Unlike the traditional Barbarians at the center, Turner hits 3-pointers – he started 756 3-pointers in his career as a progresser. His shooting ability creates driving roads and triangles for the spacing Giannis operates in the post office.
3. Send a signal to Giannis
The move is widely seen as a message to Giannis Antetokounmpo: the front desk is still willing to spend actively to support him. In previous offseasons, moves like Jrue Holiday (2020) and Damian Lillard (2023) helped to make Giannis happy. Here is the latest example.
4. Reluctance to exploit Indiana
Indiana reportedly offers Turner a three-year, $66 million deal with no player choice, which is not far from Turner’s expectations. With Tyrese Haliburton likely to recover from injury next season, Pacers’ managers will surpass the luxury tax for reconstruction. Milwaukee capital.
Turner adds Bucks
Defensive anchor
Turner’s shooting obstacles and interior images create a more daunting paint defense. Milwaukee, combined with Giannis (can switch and manage PNR), may once again have one of the league’s highest defense frontcourts.
Offensive versatility
Turner can stretch the floor, shoot threes, and set up a powerful screen. His scoring average (about 15.6 points, 6.5 rebounds and 2 blocks last season) makes him more than just a defensive expert.
Senior Leader
After ten seasons at Indiana, Turner arrives with playoff and finals experience – he is the key to the Pacers reaching the 2025 NBA Finals. His maturity should blend with Milwaukee’s senior core and provide stability in a tense playoff series.
Adventure and open issues
Financial burden
This is an expensive move. When combining Turner’s $2.6-2.7 billion with Lillard’s $22.5 million, Milwaukee only pays about $50 million in achievements a year. Critics say the move has tied up too much hat space.
Invalid backcourt
In clearing the space, Milwaukee gets in touch with Lillard. This puts them at point guards – Kevin Porter Jr., Gary Trent Jr., Jamaree Bouyea and rookie Mark Sears may opt to go to training camp. Without reliable high-use backcourt scoring options, offensive balance remains a worrying issue.
Giannis tension
It is reported that Giannis is dissatisfied with losing Lillard. Although he reportedly welcomes Turner as a teammate, internal dynamics may remain vulnerable if the team struggles.
Is this enough?
Analysts warn that adding Turner is just the beginning. Without upgrading at a small forward or point guard, the Bucks still lack the full auxiliary actor. They rely heavily on Giannis, and now Turner takes over the playoffs.
How everything fits strategically
Milwaukee issued a statement. Did they choose Front? The creativity of the office – using extended regulations, deals and exceptions – signed directly to Myles Turner without giving up future draft assets. This positive posture aims to expand the championship window around Milwaukee in Giannis. What remains to be seen is whether the internally-centric moves make up for the losses of high-end defenders.
Prospects of the 2025-26 season
If Turner integrates well, the Bucks can be the top 3-4 seeds of the Eastern Conference. Their defense should go up, the ceiling on the roster has improved, and hopefully Giannis will stay longer. However, if periphery crime is unstable, the ceiling may be blocked, and financial flexibility is limited.
The key will be finding reliable scores from Kevin Porter Jr., Gary Trent Jr. or someone else (like future deals or mid-season moves).
in conclusion
Myles Turner’s signing marks one of Milwaukee’s boldest offseason gambling. In the past four years, the $107 million deal provides elite rebounding protection, spacing and playoff balance. But how much does it cost? Damian Lillard, the loss of hat pull and limited perimeter choices raises real problems.
Still, pairing Turner with Giannis offers Milwaukee a strong “people” prospect. This doesn’t guarantee the title, but it’s a clear signal: The Bucks are doubling. Whether gambling depends on depth, health and whether Turner can lift both ends of the floor in a franchise that is eager for another championship.
For more information on Turner’s contract and the Bucks strategy, see the official NBA.com report here.
