Myles Turner is about to become teammates with Giannis Antetokounmpo. Damian Lillard now has the chance to pick his next spot.
And just like that, the first full day of NBA free agency brought big surprises Tuesday.
Turner -- the longtime stalwart for the Indiana Pacers -- agreed to a four-year deal to join the Milwaukee Bucks, who waived the nine-time All-Star in Lillard to make the acquisition happen, a person with knowledge of the moves told The Associated Press.
Turner is agreeing to a deal that ends with a player option, after spending the entirety of his first 10 seasons with the Pacers, who went to the NBA Finals this past season. And the remaining $112.6 million owed to Lillard will be paid out over the next five seasons via the NBA's stretch provision, according to the person who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because neither move was announced by the clubs involved.
ESPN, which first reported the Bucks' plan, said Turner agreed to a contract worth $107 million.
For both Milwaukee and Indiana, Achilles tendon injuries played a role in how things unfolded.
Indiana expects to be without star guard Tyrese Haliburton for the entirety of the coming season because he ruptured his Achilles tendon in Game 7 of the NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder while playing through what was diagnosed as a calf strain. Earlier in the playoffs, Lillard ruptured his Achilles tendon while playing for Milwaukee in the first round against Indiana.
Lillard is likely to miss most, if not all, of the coming season. He will become an unrestricted free agent. Teams could simply sign him now and give him a chance to continue his recovery, doing so with hope that the seven-time All-NBA selection is fully ready to go by the start of the 2026-27 season.
"This is an opportunity for Damian to stay home to continue his rehabilitation, take time to decide where he wants to play next, while still being paid his entire contract," said Lillard's agent, Aaron Goodwin.
Turner has averaged 14.1 points and 6.8 rebounds in his 10 seasons with the Pacers.
Lillard, who turns 35 this month, has averaged 25.1 points and 6.7 assists in 900 regular-season games over 13 seasons -- the first 11 with Portland, the last two with Milwaukee.
The Bucks lost Brook Lopez to the Los Angeles Clippers when free agency opened Monday, then retained reserve big man Jericho Sims on a two-year deal Tuesday. They also agreed to a two-year deal with reserve wing Gary Harris on Tuesday.
ROBINSON TO DETROIT
Duncan Robinson, the leading three-point shooter in Miami Heat history, is headed back to Michigan for the next step of his career.
A person with knowledge of the agreement said the Detroit Pistons will land Robinson on a three-year, $48 million contract and the Heat will receive wing Simone Fontecchio in what will be a sign-and-trade.
Robinson started his college career at Division III Williams in Massachusetts before three seasons at Michigan. He was an undrafted success story with the Heat, part of the 2020 and 2023 teams that went to the NBA Finals.
KINGS ADD SCHRODER
Veteran point guard and German Olympic teamer Dennis Schroder has agreed to join the Sacramento Kings on a three-year deal, the third of which is not fully guaranteed, a person with knowledge of that agreement said Tuesday. ESPN reported the total value of the deal is $45 million.
Schroder, who is entering his 13th NBA season, will join his 10th club -- and ninth in the last seven years.
He has averaged 13.9 points and 4.9 assists in 849 regular-season games.
HARDAWAY JOINS NUGGETS
Sharpshooting wing Tim Hardaway Jr. will be signing a one-year contract with the Denver Nuggets, a person familiar with the player's plans said Tuesday.
Hardaway spent last season with Detroit -- he averaged 11 points in 77 games as a starter for the Pistons -- and Denver becomes his fifth club.
The Nuggets also reportedly will acquire Jonas Valanciunas in a trade with the Kings, who will pick up Dario Saric. Valanciunas averaged 10.4 points and 5.4 rebounds this past season, his 13th in the NBA.
RAPTORS RETAIN POELTL
Jakob Poeltl gets a raise and some job security in a contract extension that keeps him with the Toronto Raptors, a person familiar with that agreement confirmed Tuesday. The center Poeltl will be finalizing a four-year deal worth about $26 million per year, or about $7 million more on average than what he was in line to make this coming season.
Poeltl -- a career 63% shooter -- is coming off a season in which he averaged career bests of 14.5 points and 9.6 rebounds.
OTHER DEALS
Tre Mann, who missed most of this past season with a herniated disc in his back after a hot start, agreed to a three-year, $24 million to stay with the Charlotte Hornets. He averaged 14.1 points across 13 games before the injury.
Guerschon Yabusele, who returned to the NBA this past year after leaving to play overseas after the 2018-19 season, will join the Knicks on a two-year, $12 million deal with a player option for the second. A silver medalist with France at the 2020 and 2024 Olympics, he returned and averaged NBA career highs with 11.0 points and 5.6 rebounds per game in Philadelphia.
The Kings agreed to a one-year deal with center Drew Eubanks, who was waived by the Clippers. He averaged 4.6 points and 3.7 rebounds in 2024-25 after beginning the season with Utah.
FILE - Milwaukee Bucks' Damian Lillard shoots a free throw during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Orlando Magic, March 8, 2025, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash, File)
FILE - Milwaukee Bucks' Damian Lillard shoots a free throw during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Orlando Magic, March 8, 2025, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash, File)
Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner (33) high fives guard Ben Sheppard (26) during the second half of Game 6 of the NBA Finals basketball series against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Thursday, June 19, 2025, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner (33) high fives guard Ben Sheppard (26) during the second half of Game 6 of the NBA Finals basketball series against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Thursday, June 19, 2025, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)