Myles Turner’s Three-Game Surge Offers a Glimpse of What the Bucks Hoped For
This wasn’t the season Milwaukee envisioned when they brought Myles Turner in on a four-year, $109 million deal. The Bucks are sitting at 18-28, with more questions than answers and the looming possibility of a second-half slide that could turn into a full-on tank. The Turner experiment, at least through the first few months, hasn’t delivered the boost the franchise hoped for.
But lately, there’s been a flicker of something different - something promising. Over the last three games, Turner has looked like the player Milwaukee thought they were getting when they made that offseason splash. It’s early, and the sample size is small, but the numbers are loud.
Turner’s Last 3 Games:
- 23.0 points per game
- 8.3 rebounds
- 4.7 blocks
- Shooting splits: 57% FG / 39% 3PT / 92% FT
- 69% true shooting
Only one other player in the league has put up that kind of three-game stretch this season: Victor Wembanyama. That’s elite company, and it’s not just the numbers - it’s the way Turner is getting them.
He’s been assertive, active, and impactful on both ends of the floor. Two of those games featured six-block performances.
One was his first 30-point outing in a Bucks uniform. The third?
A 21-point double-double against Washington.
It hasn’t translated into wins - not yet - but at this point, the Bucks slipping further down the standings might not be the worst thing. They’re trending toward a top-10 pick in the upcoming draft, and whether or not Giannis Antetokounmpo is still in Milwaukee after the trade deadline, that kind of draft capital is valuable.
The Giannis Question Looms
The February 5 trade deadline is fast approaching, and the Giannis watch is in full effect. If he stays, the Bucks could be looking at a retool around a generational talent, with a high lottery pick in hand. If he’s gone, Milwaukee will likely have a fresh batch of assets to start a rebuild - draft picks, young players, maybe even some cap flexibility.
Either way, Turner could still be part of the plan.
Yes, his season averages don’t jump off the page - 13 points, 5.5 rebounds, 43.6% from the field - but context matters. He’s been underutilized in Milwaukee’s offense, often relegated to the perimeter and left out of the flow.
There have been too many possessions where Turner’s calling for the ball inside and simply doesn’t get it. That’s not how you maximize a 6’11” floor-spacing shot blocker with a soft touch and the ability to punish mismatches.
Turner’s not blameless - he could stand to be more aggressive - but the Bucks haven’t exactly put him in a position to succeed. Under Doc Rivers, the offensive system hasn’t done much to unlock his skill set. That’s a missed opportunity, especially for a player who, in Indiana, averaged 16.8 points, 7 boards, and 2 blocks per game over the previous two seasons while shooting nearly 38% from deep.
Trade or Keep? The Case for Patience
There’s been speculation that Turner could be moved at the deadline, especially if the Bucks go all-in on a rebuild. But selling low on a player with his upside doesn’t make much sense.
His contract - while hefty - is manageable in today’s cap landscape, and he still brings a rare combination of rim protection and floor spacing. He’s shooting 39% from three and averaging 1.7 blocks per game even in a down year.
That’s not the kind of player you just give away.
If Milwaukee were to shop him now, they’d likely be looking at offers that treat his contract as a negative asset. That’s a tough pill to swallow for a player who’s still just 27 and has shown he can be a difference-maker when used correctly.
And let’s be honest - if the Bucks already stretched Damian Lillard’s $113 million deal, are they really going to turn around and cut bait on Turner less than a season into his contract? That’s the kind of move that compounds mistakes rather than corrects them.
Looking Ahead
Whether Giannis stays or goes, the Bucks have decisions to make. But Turner’s recent surge is a reminder that there’s still untapped potential here. Maybe he’s not a No. 1 or No. 2 option on a contender, but as part of a retooled core - alongside young players like Ryan Rollins, AJ Green, and a top draft pick - he could be a valuable piece.
If Milwaukee commits to developing that core, and if they bring in a coach who knows how to maximize Turner’s strengths, there’s a path forward. One that doesn’t involve panic trades or sunk costs, but rather a thoughtful reset with a versatile big man who might just be finding his rhythm.
It’s too early to call it a comeback. But for the first time in a while, there’s a reason to believe Myles Turner could still be part of the solution in Milwaukee.