Myles Turner’s Move to Milwaukee? It’s Starting to Look Like a Miss
When Myles Turner left the Indiana Pacers for the Milwaukee Bucks last summer, there were plenty of raised eyebrows - and now, a few months into the season, it’s not hard to see why. What looked like a fresh start in a new system is turning into a tough reality check, not just for Turner, but for a Bucks team that’s stumbling hard.
Let’s start with the basics: Milwaukee is 18-29 and riding a five-game losing streak. That’s not just a cold spell - it’s a full-on freefall.
They’re sitting 12th in the East, outside even the Play-In picture. And while Indiana’s 13-36 record isn’t exactly inspiring, the bigger picture tells a very different story.
The Pacers are clearly in a rough patch, especially with Tyrese Haliburton sidelined. But there’s still a sense of direction in Indiana - a young core, a smart front office, and a coaching staff that’s shown it can get the most out of its talent. Haliburton is expected back next season, and when he returns, he’ll be rejoining a team that’s quietly building something sustainable.
Meanwhile, Milwaukee is facing more than just a midseason slump. The Giannis Antetokounmpo rumors aren’t going away - and while none of that is set in stone, the uncertainty around the franchise cornerstone only adds to the unease.
The Bucks were supposed to be in win-now mode. Instead, they’re staring down a potential reset.
And that brings us back to Turner.
He got paid - four years, $108.9 million from Milwaukee. No one’s going to fault a player for securing a big contract.
But on the court, the fit hasn’t been seamless. Turner, for all his shot-blocking and floor-spacing ability, hasn’t been able to lift the Bucks the way they hoped.
And in Indiana, his absence is still felt.
The Pacers brought in Jay Huff to help fill the void, and while he’s shown flashes, the consistency just isn’t there yet. Huff doesn’t have the ceiling Turner offered, and Indiana’s still searching for a long-term answer at the five. That said, they might be glad they didn’t commit that kind of money to a player who, while talented, didn’t quite elevate them when it mattered most - especially in last year’s playoff run, where Turner’s limitations were exposed on the biggest stage.
Still, it’s not as simple as “Indiana moved on.” Turner was a great fit in that system, and his departure left a hole that hasn’t been fully patched. The Pacers may not regret the financial side of the move, but they haven’t exactly replaced what he brought to the table, either.
The irony? Despite their record, Indiana looks better positioned for the future than Milwaukee.
The Pacers have youth, cap flexibility, and a potential franchise centerpiece in Haliburton. The Bucks have aging stars, an uncertain timeline, and a whole lot of questions.
For Turner, the move made sense on paper - a bigger payday, a chance to play alongside Giannis, and a shot at contending. But right now, it’s looking like a decision that’s aged poorly. If he had a do-over, maybe he’d think twice before leaving a team that, despite its current struggles, might be closer to contention than the one he joined.
Sometimes, the grass isn’t greener - it’s just a different shade of uncertainty.