Myles Turner is growing into one of the most hated players by the Indiana Pacers fanbase this 2025-26 season. It is understandable given how he just all of a sudden left his team for 10 years and the worst part is that he joined their division rivals.
Indiana Pacers fans
Nov 7, 2021; Sacramento, California, USA; A Indiana Pacers fan holds a sign after the game against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Turner signed with the Milwaukee Bucks early July to the tune of $108.9 million for four years. The Pacers camp suggested that they were blindsided by this and that they could have offered the same amount of money to Turner who started his career with them and was instrumental in their playoff runs in the last two seasons.
Since them, Pacers supporters have expressed their displeasure with this development, even nitpicking the big man’s words.
Head coach Rick Carlisle is taking a different route. He does not want to villainize his former player. He is giving him the benefit of the doubt.
Myles Turner
Mar 20, 2023; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner (33) slaps hands with Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle as he goes to the bench during the first half against the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Nell Redmond-USA TODAY Sports
“We’ll certainly miss Myles,” he said in an appearance at The Fan Morning Show.
“There was a lot of talk about some of the the things that he said as he left. But, we’re going to give Myles the benefit of the doubt on all of that stuff. The guy was a Pacer through and through for 10 years. He lived and breathed it.”
Myles Turner is a rival now
Carlisle is also not trying to ignore how Turner tried to stick with the team despite their struggles and major changes that happened with the franchise.
However, it will be business as usual for them now. With him on the other side, Carlisle will treat him like any other opponents.
“He disregarded trade rumors when they happened,” Carlisle said.
Myles Turner, Damian Lillard, Milwaukee Bucks
Jan 3, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard (0) shoots the ball while Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner (33) defends in the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
“He was all about Indiana all the time. This franchise was ready to go as far into the tax as we needed to to keep him. But things can change quickly. He’s moved on. He’s a division rival.”
Turner, who said he signed with Bucks to play competitive basketball, will surely get boos once he returns to the Gainbridge Fieldhouse. A tribute video should also be on the table, regardless.
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