Myles Turner Wanted a Title Run in Milwaukee. Now He’s Watching the Bucks Unravel.
When Myles Turner signed a four-year, $108.8 million deal with the Milwaukee Bucks, the message was clear: he was betting on a championship. After years of trade rumors and near-moves while anchoring the paint for the Indiana Pacers, Turner finally had his fresh start-and he chose Milwaukee, a team with a proven star in Giannis Antetokounmpo and a recent championship pedigree.
It looked like a smart move. A win-now team, a chance to compete deep into June, and a front office willing to make bold moves.
But fast forward to now, and the Bucks’ season has veered wildly off course. Milwaukee sits ten games below .500, four games out of even the Play-In Tournament, and their superstar centerpiece may be on his way out.
Giannis is sidelined with a calf injury and expected to miss four to six weeks. Without him, the Bucks have cratered to a 3-13 record.
And suddenly, Turner finds himself in a situation that looks nothing like the contender he signed up for.
A Championship Vision That’s Slipping Away
Turner didn’t just come to Milwaukee for a payday-he came to win. After helping the Pacers reach the NBA Finals last season, the 6'11" big man was looking to build on that momentum.
At 29, he’s in the heart of his prime, and this contract represented more than just financial security. It was supposed to be his ticket to meaningful basketball in May and June.
The Bucks, meanwhile, were trying to keep Giannis happy and extend their championship window. That included making tough roster decisions, including the surprising move to waive Damian Lillard in the offseason. Turner was brought in to stabilize the frontcourt and stretch the floor-his rim protection and three-point shooting were seen as a perfect complement to Giannis’ downhill game.
But with the team floundering and Giannis potentially on the move, Turner’s vision of a title push in Milwaukee is slipping away fast.
A Harsh Reality in Milwaukee
Let’s be clear: Turner has done his part. He’s played well, providing the kind of two-way presence that made him one of the top free agents on the market last summer.
But basketball is a team game, and the supporting cast around him just hasn’t held up. Without Giannis, the Bucks have struggled mightily on both ends of the floor.
The offense lacks identity, and the defense-once a calling card of this franchise-has been inconsistent at best.
For Turner, who got a taste of Finals basketball just a season ago, this has to be frustrating. He left Indiana in search of a better shot at a ring, and instead, he’s watching the Bucks slide into lottery territory. If Giannis is ultimately traded, the franchise could pivot into a full rebuild-and that’s not the kind of situation a veteran like Turner is looking to be part of.
What Comes Next?
Turner is under contract through 2029, but that doesn’t mean he’s locked into Milwaukee long-term. With the trade deadline looming on February 5, the Bucks could explore moving him-especially if they decide to hit the reset button. And if Giannis is moved, there’s a good chance Turner won’t be far behind.
There’s no shortage of teams that could use a stretch five who can anchor a defense and space the floor. Turner’s skill set is rare-he’s one of the league’s best shot blockers and a legitimate threat from beyond the arc.
He helped unlock Indiana’s offense last year, and he could do the same for a contender in need of frontcourt versatility. The Lakers, long rumored to have interest, are just one of several teams who could come calling if Milwaukee makes him available.
A Season of Regret?
This isn’t how Turner envisioned his first season with the Bucks. He came to Milwaukee with championship aspirations, and now he’s staring at a possible rebuild. That’s a tough pill to swallow for a player who’s been waiting for the right opportunity to compete for a title.
The situation is fluid-Giannis hasn’t been traded yet, and there’s always a chance the Bucks try to retool rather than tear it all down. But as things stand, Milwaukee is in a tough spot, and Turner’s future is very much in question.
For now, he remains a Buck. But with the team spiraling and the trade deadline approaching, don’t be surprised if Turner’s time in Milwaukee ends sooner than expected.
He came here to win. The Bucks aren’t doing much of that right now.