Miles Turner has agreed to a four-year contract with the Milwaukee Bucks as they move on from nine-time All-Star Damian Lillard, initiating a significant roster change. Turner, who spent his entire first decade with the Indiana Pacers, signed a deal that includes player options and is reportedly worth $107 million, according to ESPN. The Bucks will also stretch out the remaining $112.6 million owed to Lillard over the next five years through the NBA stretch clause.
Both players’ recent Achilles tendon injuries influenced these unexpected moves. Indiana hopes star guard Tyrese Haliburton will return next season after suffering an Achilles rupture in the NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder, while Lillard injured his Achilles during the playoffs against Indiana. Lillard, who might miss the upcoming season, is free to sign with any team, with hopes he fully recovers by the 2026-27 season.
Turner averaged 14.1 points and 6.8 rebounds over 10 seasons with the Pacers and weighed the luxury tax implications amid concerns about Haliburton’s availability. Lillard, soon turning 35, has averaged 25.1 points and 6.7 assists over 900 regular-season games in 13 seasons. Meanwhile, the Bucks lost Brook Lopez to the Los Angeles Clippers in free agency.
Fan Take: This roster shake-up highlights how injuries can swiftly change team dynamics and strategies in the NBA. For basketball fans, it means anticipating a new era for the Bucks and a chance to see young talent like Turner step up, while also watching how Lillard’s recovery and future impact the league’s competitive landscape.
