Around the NBA, rival front offices are keeping a close eye on the Milwaukee Bucks and more specifically, on the future of Myles Turner.
According to Clutch Points NBA insider Brett Siegel, league executives are actively debating whether Milwaukee could make Turner available as a way to regain financial and roster flexibility while still building around Giannis Antetokounmpo. Speaking on Clutch Scoops, Siegel framed Turner's $25 million salary as a potential pivot point rather than a long-term commitment.
"If you made Myles Turner available, would that open the door for you to get extra salary slots at that $25 million and maybe get draft capital back that you could flip for more assets to help Giannis?" Siegel said. "That's a big question that many are asking around the league right now."
That question exists because Turner represents two different layers of strategy for Milwaukee.
The first is firmly win-now. Turner's contract could be converted into draft capital and flexible salary, assets that could then be re-flipped to acquire ready-made depth around Antetokounmpo.
In that context, Turner is less about on-court fit and more about roster mechanics, an avenue to reshuffle the supporting cast without touching the franchise cornerstone. The second layer is more sobering.
If the Bucks' season continues to spiral, Turner would almost certainly become the first domino in a post-Giannis reset. Even as Milwaukee publicly maintains that it is not entertaining trade discussions involving Antetokounmpo, league history suggests those stances are rarely permanent. In a scenario where Giannis is eventually moved, Turner, on a sizable contract and outside the team's developmental timeline, would be unlikely to remain part of the long-term plan.
The question also lies as to what teams see real value in Turner as far as being a player that can contribute on a championship caliber. Despite a strong 2024-25 season as a member of the Indiana Pacers on their run to the NBA Finals, that momentum has not necessarily followed him to Milwaukee.
So far this season, he is averaging a modest 12.2 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks while shooting 43.2% from the field, all career-lows. Although the theory of Turner as a floor spacing rim defender will still merit intrigue, his recent play could cost the Bucks the chance for a bigger return.
Turner isn't alone in this conversation. Bucks forward Kyle Kuzma has also surfaced as a potential trade chip, reinforcing the idea that Milwaukee is exhausting every possible avenue to surround Antetokounmpo with win-now help. At 11-17, the Bucks are running out of margin.
Regardless of the circumstances as to why Turner could be put on the trade block, the clear message is being sent by the Milwaukee Bucks that moves are soon to come. The question now is will they come at the expense of making one last-ditch effort to please their franchise player or will it be in reaction to being forced to start an inevitable rebuild?
Only time will tell, but with teams like the Boston Celtics and Golden State Warriors already floating out there as potential suitors, a move could be right around the corner.
Newsweek