Tyrese Haliburton said he's happy Myles Turner secured a big contract with Milwaukee, but admitted he doesn't like seeing his longtime teammate join a conference rival, promising "there will be smoke" when they face off.
The Milwaukee Bucks pulled off one of the offseason's most surprising moves by signing center Myles Turner — just days after he helped lead the Indiana Pacers to the 2025 NBA Finals.
Myles Turner
Myles Turner
Position: C, PF
Age: 29
Height: 211 cm
Weight: 108 kg
Birth place: Texas, United States of America
After some time to process the deal, Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton shared his thoughts on Turner's departure to another Eastern Conference contender.
"I'm happy for the man," Haliburton said on Self Made Sessions. "The thing about the NBA is, there's only so many of us. You want to see dudes get paid, you want to see dudes be able to take care of their families. He's able to do that."
Turner had been the Pacers' longest-tenured player, drafted 11th overall out of the University of Texas in 2015.
Haliburton, who joined Indiana in 2022, said their years together built a strong bond.
"He's a guy I got to play alongside for a long time, and we grew a great relationship," Haliburton noted. "Obviously, seeing him go to Milwaukee, I don't like to see that. I don't want to see him in Milwaukee, but it is what it is."
"There will be smoke when we see them, like there would be anyway," Haliburton added. "So, it's basketball, it's a competition, but it's still love."
Turner, 29, signed a four-year, $108.9 million contract with Milwaukee after the Bucks chose to stretch and waive nine-time All-Star guard Damian Lillard, who had $112.6 million remaining on his deal.
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