The Milwaukee Bucks signed Myles Turner to maximize Giannis Antetokounmpo's prime by adding elite rim protection, floor spacing, and defensive versatility.
The Milwaukee Bucks have had one of the most dramatic offseasons in the NBA, making a move no one saw coming.
2-pointers this season
Milwaukee Bucks
NBA
With nine-time All-Star Damian Lillard expected to miss much of the 2025–26 season due to a torn left Achilles tendon, the Bucks made the tough decision to waive him.
They chose to stretch the nearly $113 million remaining on his contract over the next five years, putting about $22.5 million of dead money on their cap each season.
That move, however, cleared enough space for Milwaukee to sign one of the top free agents on the market: Myles Turner. The former Indiana Pacers center joined the Bucks on a four-year, $108.9 million deal.
For general manager Jon Horst, the reasoning was simple.
"Maximizing Giannis' prime, our opportunities to win, I feel like that's our responsibility always," he told Eric Nehm of The Athletic. "So, it was really a now versus future decision."
"It was an offseason where we had a lot of different avenues to pursue and explore. And so this was one that we were always exploring," Horst noted. "And Myles has always been a target."
Credit AP - Scanpix
The Bucks viewed Turner as an ideal fit for their system. He shot 39.6% from three-point range last season and could provide crucial floor spacing around Giannis. He also brings elite rim protection, physicality, and versatility on defense.
"And so Myles is a great floor spacer. We love to be big and physical and defend the rim, and Myles does that," Horst said. "He's elite at defending the rim."
"And I think that we needed to grow in our perimeter speed and our perimeter ability to navigate the pick-and-roll game, which is such a big part of the NBA now," the GM underlined. "To have multiple switch defenders on the floor. To play faster offensively and defensively in transition."
When asked whether the front office had done enough this offseason, Horst didn't hold back.
"Have we done enough? We've done everything, I've done everything within my human possible power this offseason," Horst replied. "I feel like our group works our butts off."
If it's truly enough, Giannis will show it. While rumors continue to swirl about Antetokounmpo exploring options, the Bucks management just laughs them off.
Thank you for reading us! We have even more content for you.