In a remarkable twist emblematic of the modern NBA, Indiana Pacers president Kevin Pritchard revealed he first learned of Turner’s decision not through direct communication, but by seeing a tweet from NBA insider Shams Charania.

Pritchard admitted, “I saw Shams tweet it, and that's how I knew that Myles was taken away.” The revelation highlighted both the speed of today’s news cycle and the sometimes impersonal nature of high-stakes free agency.

According to Pritchard, the Pacers had been in ongoing negotiations with Turner’s camp and believed talks were progressing in good faith. The suddenness of Turner’s agreement with the Bucks—a four-year, $107 million deal—caught the entire Indiana front office off guard.

Missed Opportunity for a Sign-and-Trade

Pritchard expressed regret that the Pacers and Turner’s representatives never reached the point of negotiating a sign-and-trade, which could have benefited both parties.

“We would have been open on a sign-and-trade because it's sort of mutually beneficial, but we didn't get to that point unfortunately,” he explained.

The abruptness of Turner’s decision left the Pacers without compensation for losing one of their longest-tenured and most impactful players.

Turner’s Legacy and the Aftermath

Myles Turner spent a decade in Indiana, becoming the team’s all-time leader in blocked shots and a consistent defensive anchor. His departure marks the end of an era for the Pacers, who now face the challenge of rebuilding without their star center.

Turner’s exit, combined with the recent loss of Tyrese Haliburton to injury, has dramatically altered the team’s outlook for the upcoming season.

The Pacers’ experience underscores the unpredictability of NBA free agency and the importance of direct communication in an era dominated by social media and rapid news dissemination.

For Indiana, the focus now shifts to regrouping and finding new building blocks in the wake of a franchise-altering offseason.