By Aris Barkas/ [email protected]
Free agent center Myles Turner has agreed to a four-year, $107 million deal with the Milwaukee Bucks, plus a player option for year four in 2028-29 and a full 15% trade kicker, per Shams Charania.
According to the same report, while Turner wanted to stay with the Pacers and his side pushed for a new deal, Indiana simply didn’t want to pay luxury tax, especially after Tyrese Haliburton’s injury, and the Bucks made the move to get a cornerstone from one of their main rivals.
The 11th pick of the 2015 NBA draft has emerged as one of the best shooting big men in the league, and he has a key role in the finals run of the Pacers.
He is essentially replacing Brook Lopez, who moved to the Clippers, while the Bucks kept pretty much the rest of their core intact.
With speculation about a possible trade involving Giannis Antetokounmpo running wild, this is a move by the Bucks that can give hope for another run at the title.
Also, according to Charania, the “Milwaukee Bucks are waiving Damian Lillard and stretching the remaining $113 million on his contract to acquire Myles Turner”. Lillard had two seasons in Milwaukee, and he is leaving while rehabilitating a torn Achilles tendon.
Lillard’s salary will be stretched over the next five seasons, permitting the addition of Turner.