Myles Turner was one of the biggest names on the free agent market this summer and the Bucks stunned the basketball world by inking the center to a four-year, $107 million deal Tuesday, per ESPN’s Shams Charania. According to Charania, the deal includes a player option for the fourth year in 2028-29 and a full 15% trade kicker.
To make this signing possible, the Bucks are waiving Damian Lillard and stretching the remaining $113 million of his contract, which is unfortunate timing for the former All-Star, as Lillard is currently recovering from a torn Achilles he suffered in the playoffs.
While losing Lillard isn’t a huge deal given he might miss all of next season, the acquisition of Turner is a massive move for Milwaukee. The center averaged 16.9 points, 6.9 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game with the Pacers the last three years. Turner is one of the best shot-blocking big men in the NBA and he is arguably the best outside shooting center in the league. Over the last three seasons, Turner is shooting 38% on three-pointers and he is averaging 1.7 made three-pointers per game.
Turner’s elite ability to stretch the floor will help draw opposing big men out of the paint, which is great news for Giannis Antetokounmpo, who has been one of the most dominant interior scorers of this generation.
Following the signing of Turner, the Bucks’ odds to win the 2025-26 NBA Championship on DraftKings Sportsbook have moved from +6000 to +4000. Furthermore, Milwaukee’s odds to win the Eastern Conference have moved from +1800 to +1300 and last, but not least, the odds of Antetokounmpo staying with the Bucks, as there has been plenty of speculation about the superstar requesting a trade, moved to a heavily favored -1200 odds following the Turner news. However, odds shifted back down to -900 following the waiving of Lillard.
