Indiana Pacers fans aren’t the only ones caught unaware when Myles Turner agreed to a contract with the Milwaukee Bucks.
Pacers coach Rick Carlisle didn’t see it coming, either.
“We were talking to (his representation) about him returning, and out of nowhere, Milwaukee decided to waive Damian Lillard,” Carlisle said on the “Green Light” podcast with Chris Long. “They created space to sign Myles.”
Carlisle said Milwaukee used a common negotiating tactic to lure Turner.
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“A team will say, ‘Look, we have this offer with this much money over this many years, but if we make this offer, we need to know that you’re going to take it and not shop it.’ I believe that’s what probably happened,” the coach said. “There was never a chance to counter.
“Those things happen, and when they do, you just gotta keep going.”
The Pacers have traded for Jay Huff, picked up their option on Tony Bradley‘s contract and re-signed James Wiseman as they search for answers in the post for 2025-26.
“Myles Turner is a significant loss for our team,” Carlisle said. “A terrific player. He had a great season.”
Turner averaged 15.6 points, 6.5 rebounds and 2 blocked shots per game in 2024-25, shooting a career-high 39.6% on 3-pointers.