The Indiana Pacers shocked a lot of people this past postseason, making a gutsy run to the NBA Finals. And just as fans were beginning to dream bigger, reality hit hard in free agency—Myles Turner is gone, signing a 4-year, $107 million deal with the rival Milwaukee Bucks.
Let’s unpack what happened, how fans (and analysts) are reacting, and where this leaves the Blue & Gold heading into a very uncertain next season.
💸 Pacers Let Turner Walk—Again
For the second time in recent years, the Pacers opted not to match or exceed a competitive offer for Myles Turner. This time, the price tag came from Milwaukee, who cleared space by waiving Damian Lillard and spreading out his massive contract. That allowed them to sign Turner—arguably the best shot-blocker available—with a fat new deal that includes a trade kicker and player option.
Indiana, meanwhile, reportedly didn’t offer anything close. In fact, some sources say the front office wouldn’t go beyond three years and $60 million. For a franchise fresh off a Finals appearance, it felt like a cheap way out.
😤 The Reaction: Disappointment, Confusion… and Some Fire
Brian Windhorst on First Take didn’t hold back:
“If I’m an Indiana Pacer right now, I’m absolutely disgusted… If I’m Tyrese Haliburton, I am breaking things right now.”
And Windy’s not alone. Fans and analysts across the board have pointed out that losing Turner to a conference rival just months after a Finals run feels like a huge step backward, especially when Indiana didn’t seem willing to pay to keep the core intact.
🧊 My Take: Myles Didn’t Exactly Dominate in the Finals
Look—I respect everything Myles brought to the Pacers over 10 seasons. He’s second all-time in blocked shots (behind Jermaine O’Neal), and when he’s on, he’s a defensive force with a reliable jumper.
But let’s be honest: Turner’s performance in the Finals was underwhelming. He struggled with consistency, had trouble staying out of foul trouble, and didn’t provide the kind of interior dominance you’d expect from a guy commanding nine figures. His scoring dipped, and he often got outmuscled in the paint.
That doesn’t mean he wasn’t valuable. It just means I can understand why the front office didn’t see him as a $100M centerpiece, especially with Haliburton out next season and major roster gaps to fill.
🏗️ Where Does This Leave the Pacers?
No Turner. No Haliburton (at least for a while). No luxury tax spending.
That’s not exactly a recipe for repeating a Finals run.
On the flip side, the Pacers now have financial flexibility and a young core that still includes Bennedict Mathurin, Andrew Nembhard, and Jarace Walker. If they make the right moves—and that’s a huge if—they could retool on the fly.
But this offseason feels like a crossroads. Go cheap and play the long game? Or make bold moves to stay relevant in the East?
🧀 Meanwhile in Milwaukee…
Turner fills the Brook Lopez-sized hole perfectly, giving Giannis a rim protector and a floor spacer. But even the Bucks have drama: dumping Lillard didn’t sit well with Giannis, and reports say he’s less than thrilled. So don’t count out some chaos there either.
🚨 Final Thought
The Pacers had a golden opportunity to build on a magical season. Instead, they chose cap space and caution. Maybe that pays off long-term.
But today? It just feels like we let a key piece walk away… and gave the Bucks a serious edge. Even if Myles wasn’t perfect in the Finals, he was part of something special. And now he’s suiting up for the enemy.
Let’s just hope Indiana knows what it’s doing—because the fans are watching.