Comparison, they say, is the thief of joy. In the case of Myles Turner who just signed a huge contract with the Milwaukee Bucks, who was it that was robbed?
Myles Turner Milwaukee Bucks NBA Free Agency
May 11, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner (33) dribbles the ball while Cleveland Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley (4) defends during game four of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
Turner, who selected 11th overall by the Indiana Pacers in 2015, is entering a new era with a new team after reportedly not getting the contract he wanted the 2025 NBA finalists. He was the Pacers’ starting center for a really long time and helped them reach the NBA championship dance. He is also their longest-tenured player before getting dumped.
He did struggle in the playoffs but he was the no. 1 player in the free agency market. The Pacers were expected to extend him and Turner will make the logical choice to stay.
He did not want to leave. However, a trouble brewed and they were no longer in the same page.
Brook Lopez, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
Mar 11, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Milwaukee Bucks center Brook Lopez (11) shoots the ball whileIndiana Pacers center Myles Turner (33) defends in the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
The Bucks happened to be at the right place and at the right time. They need to make a major and shocking move by letting Damian Lillard go but they got the job done.
They also did not re-sign Brook Lopez and that should not be a problem because they got Turner now.
Myles Turner thought he deserved better contract than Naz Reid
Naz Reid of the Minnesota Timberwolves had a great 2024-25 season after winning the Sixth Man of the Year last year.
This consistency earned him a new contract with the team worth $125 million for five years.
Turner is aware of Reid’s contract and demand the Pacers to give him more. Reid is a sixth man and Turner is a starter in a team that reached the NBA finals.
Indiana front office did not give in.
Naz Reid, Minnesota Timberwolves
May 20, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves center Naz Reid (11) looks down the court during a time out against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the fourth quarter during game one of the western conference finals for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
ESPN’s Tim Bontemps and Jamal Collier reported:
But no one saw the Bucks creating salary cap space to sign Turner. And once they did, they could then outbid Indiana. Minnesota signing center Naz Reid to a five-year, $125 million contract last week already had complicated the Pacers-Turner negotiations. Turner, a starter on a Finals team, justifiably had reason to believe he was worth more than the $25 million annual value for Reid, a backup big man for Minnesota.
Turner did not get the $125 million he wanted as he only signed a four-year deal worth $107 million.
However, based on this ESPN report, one might see his Bucks deal a middle finger to the last team he played for.
It would be interesting to see how Turner will be received when he returns to Gainbridge Fieldhouse given the two team’s history.
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