The Milwaukee Bucks are staring at an uncomfortable choice before next season even begins: what do they do with Myles Turner?
After reshaping the franchise by trading Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Miami Heat, Milwaukee is now trying to sort through a new roster that comes with fresh problems. Turner sits right at the center of one of them. The Bucks have not gotten much traction on the trade market for him, and it sure sounds like if a decent offer had surfaced, they would have already moved him.
That leaves Milwaukee in a tricky spot. If the goal is to find a team willing to absorb Turner’s massive contract, the Bucks may need to keep him in the starting lineup rather than lean more heavily on Kel’el Ware. But that decision comes with risk, because the organization is also in a place where it probably shouldn’t be pouring much more into Turner.
Turner was added last summer as part of the effort to keep Antetokounmpo happy and give Milwaukee the best shot at another title run. The Bucks waived and stretched Damian Lillard, who later re-signed with the Portland Trail Blazers, and then handed Turner a four-year, $109 million contract.
At the time, it was a bold move. Now it looks like one of the worst deals in the league.
Last season didn’t help. Turner never quite looked like the player who had just helped the Indiana Pacers reach the NBA Finals, and his value took a hit along with his production.
Now Antetokounmpo is gone, and the Bucks have reportedly been trying to move Turner’s contract without much success. So the team is left weighing two bad options: bring Turner off the bench and focus on developing younger players, or start him and hope a stronger season makes him easier to trade by the deadline.
If Turner plays well, Milwaukee might be able to sell another team on the idea that he could still be the missing piece. If he struggles again, though, the Bucks could damage his value even further and make it nearly impossible to move him without attaching draft picks.
That’s the bind Milwaukee is in: a tough trade market, a pricey contract, and now a starting lineup decision that could make the whole thing even messier.
In Other News...
Bucks Trade Hopes Could Finally Change If Denver Gets Desperate
The Bucks have been trying to find a market for Myles Turner, but his contract has made that an uphill sell so far. For a team looking to keep moving pieces and clean up the roster, the problem has been less about Turners talent than the kind of financial commitment he brings, and that has left Milwaukee waiting for the right front office to come around.
Denver could be the kind of team that changes the equation if it gets serious about its cap situation. The Nuggets are operating above the second apron, and one possible path would be a swap built around Aaron Gordon if they decide Turner helps them while also giving them a cleaner financial picture. It remains only a possibility for now, but it is the sort of scenario Bucks observers will watch closely because it connects Milwaukees trade search with a contenders pressure to make the math work. [Read more 🡒]
Kel'el Ware Could Fix A Bucks Problem That Hurt All Season
Milwaukee spent much of last season looking for a cleaner answer on the glass, especially when possessions broke down and opponents kept extending trips. That is why Kel'el Ware stands out as such an interesting fit. His size and rebounding ability give the Bucks a chance to add a real second-chance threat, the kind of presence that can turn missed shots into points instead of empty possessions.
Jericho Sims adds another layer to that conversation with the kind of rebounding motor and finishing touch that can make life easier around the rim. If Sims and Ware mesh the way the Bucks hope, Wares putback chances should become more productive and the offense could get a noticeable lift. It is the sort of frontcourt pairing that does not need to solve everything, but it could go a long way toward fixing a problem that hurt all season. [Read more 🡒]
Tyler Herro Could Have One Big Bucks Problem Late In Games
Tyler Herros offensive value has long been easy to see, but the late-game picture for the Bucks gets murkier when the possession flips the other way. In tight games, every matchup is magnified, and Milwaukee has to weigh whether Herros scoring punch is worth the defensive tradeoff when opponents are hunting stops and trying to force the issue on the perimeter.
The Bucks can always lean on different defensive looks and closing combinations if they want more stability in those moments, which puts real pressure on Herro to hold up better on that end. If he does, his role can grow with the stakes. If he doesnt, his minutes in the most important stretches may stay in question, and that could shape how Milwaukee views his place moving forward. [Read more 🡒]