The deal, which includes a player option for the 2028-29 season and a 15% trade kicker, marks the end of Turner’s nine-year tenure in Indiana—just weeks after he helped lead the Pacers to their first NBA Finals appearance in 25 years.

Turner, 29, averaged 15.6 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks per game last season while shooting a career-best 39.6% from three-point range. Although he struggled in the Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Turner’s combination of rim protection and floor spacing made him the top center available in this year’s free-agent class.

His departure is a major blow for the Pacers, who had kept Turner through years of trade rumors only to lose him after their deepest playoff run in decades.

According to reports, Turner was interested in staying with Indiana, but the Pacers’ offers never exceeded three years and $60 million, well short of Milwaukee’s commitment. The move comes as Indiana faces uncertainty following Tyrese Haliburton’s Achilles injury, fundamentally altering their outlook in a suddenly wide-open Eastern Conference.

Bucks Make Aggressive Move, Waive Lillard

Milwaukee’s acquisition of Turner required significant roster maneuvering. Without cap space, the Bucks created room by waiving All-Star guard Damian Lillard and stretching the $113 million remaining on his contract over five seasons.

Lillard, who suffered an Achilles tear in the playoffs, was a central figure in Milwaukee’s backcourt and averaged 24.9 points and 7.1 assists last season. The decision to part ways with Lillard and commit to Turner signals a bold shift in the Bucks’ roster construction as they look to maximize Giannis Antetokounmpo’s championship window.

Turner now joins Antetokounmpo in Milwaukee’s frontcourt, filling the void left by Brook Lopez, who signed with the LA Clippers earlier in the offseason. League insiders have called the move “stunning” and “reckless,” noting the financial risks and the pressure to deliver immediate results with Antetokounmpo in his prime.

Ripple Effects Across the East

Turner’s move to Milwaukee not only reshapes the Bucks’ outlook but also has major ramifications for the Eastern Conference. The Pacers, once seen as favorites to return to the Finals, now face significant questions about their frontcourt and overall roster stability.

Meanwhile, the Bucks re-enter the conversation as contenders, banking on Turner’s defensive presence and shooting to complement Antetokounmpo.

As the dust settles on one of the offseason’s most surprising deals, both franchises—and the rest of the NBA—will be watching closely to see if this gamble pays off in the race for Eastern Conference supremacy.