Giannis and Myles Turner (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
The Milwaukee Bucks entered the 2025–26 season reshaping nearly every layer of their identity. Brook Lopez was gone. Damian Lillard’s tenure ended after a season cut short due to an Achilles tear. And with Giannis Antetokounmpo taking on a heavier playmaking load while surrounded by new personnel, Milwaukee needed stability in the frontcourt and a center who could help bridge the gap between the team’s past and its future.
Myles Turner has been that solution.
Turner signed with Milwaukee on a four-year, $108.9 million contract after the Bucks created cap space by waiving Lillard and stretching his salary. It was a move to add a more versatile, modern framework built on spacing, mobility, and multi-positional defense as Lopez, who brought these attributes in recent years, went into the next phase of his NBA career with the LA Clippers.
Through the opening stretch of the season, Turner is building chemistry with two-time MVP Antetokounmpo and a new squad, while also building a relationship with a new community after spending 10 years in Indianapolis.
“It’s been a pleasure to play with Giannis. He’s doing some incredible things out there, he is having an incredible season and it’s being part of winning,” Turner told RG.org. “I think that’s the most important thing for me. I think the culture’s great here with this team. We have a lot of great stuff going on, and the city man, the fans have been really dope too. They go hard for their sports teams and the love is definitely reciprocated with the energy in the arena.”
In 15 games, Turner has averaged 12.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.7 blocks, and shot 43.4% from deep on 5.5 attempts per game, providing Milwaukee with the kind of perimeter gravity and rim protection they lacked last season. Yet his impact extends well beyond the stat sheet in ways his teammates appreciate.
“Cleaning up the glass, altering shots at the rim, blocking shots, spacing the floor, smart IQ. Being a roller, being a popper, getting into the second side. I could keep going—he does a lot,” Kyle Kuzma said of Turner.
Giannis’ Initiator Role and the Turner Partnership
Milwaukee’s current starting lineup reflects its new direction: Antetokounmpo at the center of the offense, flanked by Kuzma, AJ Green, Ryan Rollins, with Turner anchoring the back line. With Antetokounmpo initiating more possessions from the top of the floor, the Bucks have leaned heavily into pace and spacing.
Turner’s pop threat has already changed the geometry of Milwaukee’s offense. His willingness to fire threes early in the shot clock forces defenses to stretch past the arc, creating the clean driving lanes that Antetokounmpo now attacks from a more dynamic angle.
Early on, Turner said the offensive fit around Antetokounmpo has come naturally. Having proper spacing and well-timed off-ball movement is vital to fully maximize such a dynamic force. Antetokounmpo leads the NBA in points in the paint per game (21.7) and field goals within five feet of the rim at 10.4 per game, while the next best is Jalen Duren with 6.3.
“He’s just a dynamic player man. So, you’ve gotta learn how to fit in around him,” Turner said of Antetokounmpo. “He makes plays. He’s got really good vision — that’s one of the things I think he’s very underrated about. He puts you in good positions to make good plays, and it’s about finishing them.”
Doc Rivers believes this role evolution has benefited Antetokounmpo physically and strategically.
“It’s easier on his body,” Rivers said. “When he’s a facilitator, he’s not taking as much contact. The spacing helps because we have so much shooting. It’s been really good for him.”
The shift has also helped stabilize the supporting cast — players such as Rollins, Green, and newly acquired Kuzma, who thrive when the floor widens and the ball moves quickly.
Turner shared his perspective that Rivers has been instrumental in this group coming together, whether through schematics or accountability. .
“Oh man. Doc’s pin game is off the charts, man,” Turner said of Rivers. “He puts guys in great position to score. I like his very positive attitude — win, lose or draw, he keeps guys accountable, but he’s still able to coach us hard and keep a good spirit about him. That’s something that’s great and something that I love.”
Giannis Has Embraced Turner Since Day 1
Shortly after Turner landed with the Bucks during the offseason, the two communicated about the season ahead with mutual excitement for what they could accomplish together.
It takes time to build chemistry, but Antetokounmpo and Turner share a belief in the long-term potential of their pairing. Similar to how Turner complemented dynamic paint players like Domantas Sabonis and Pascal Siakam in previous situations, Antetokounmpo is a different player, but past experiences provide some foundation.
On Media Day, Antetokounmpo emphasized how well their games mesh before they started competing alongside each other this season.
“He’s one of the bigs that we can fit so well together,” Antetokounmpo said. “He’s one of the best bigs in the league… I’m very excited for him. That was an incredible move… I know the fans are excited but I think me and Myles are more excited than anybody.”
As Turner worked to settle in, Antetokounmpo became one of his strongest public advocates — both on a personal level and in terms of on-court fit. He spoke at length about Turner’s transition to Milwaukee, especially after Pacers fans booed him during his return to Indiana.
“For Myles… being able to play in the NBA, the average lifespan of a player is 4.5 years. He had 10 years of service in one franchise,” Antetokounmpo said of Turner. “To be able to come here in Indiana, all-time leading block leader, to be booed… he might not say it, but it kind of hurt. We are here to pick him up, tell him how much we love him and respect him. We understand how much he gave for the team Indiana and how much he’s willing to give for Milwaukee.”
Antetokounmpo continued, drawing a parallel to everyday life to explain why the reaction bothered him.
“Anybody that was booing him today or the Bucks, you can boo the Bucks, I understand, but boy, Myles Turner… just think about yourself, put yourself in that position — working in your job for 10 years and deciding to make a move for your family and for yourself,” Antetokounmpo explained.
Despite their long history as opponents, Antetokounmpo said his respect for Turner only grew now that they share a locker room.
“Four or five months ago, he was blocking my shot, pushing me on the floor, and I’m here, I’m not booing him, I don’t hate him… it’s the complete opposite,” Antetokounmpo said. “I respect him. I respected him when I played against him and now that he’s my teammate, it’s a lot of love.”
A Defensive Presence and Locker Room Leadership
Turner arrived with the résumé of a veteran, and Milwaukee has appreciated his leadership since he stepped into the facility. Even with a core group that already had established voices, the Bucks were integrating important new pieces. Combined with the ongoing development of younger contributors, the roster benefited from a steadying influence who could direct communication on the floor and provide structure behind the scenes.
“He’s been great — just a pro’s pro,” Rivers said of Turner. “Intelligent, a winner, and a leader. You don’t really know guys until you coach them, and I didn’t know Myles before we got him. Once he arrived, people from Indiana told us, ‘We lost a leader.’ He’s a truth-teller in the locker room. As a coach, you wish you had 15 of those guys — you usually get one, and he’s that for us.”
Milwaukee’s defense looks different than in the Lopez era. Instead of sitting deep in drop coverage, the Bucks now toggle between more at-the-level pressure and switching. The shift is built around Turner’s defensive versatility and ability to guard multiple actions without sacrificing rim protection. He has averaged 1.7 blocks, but his influence is more evident in the way opponents alter drives, throw hurried floaters, and settle for perimeter jumpers. With Rollins and Green improving as point-of-attack defenders and Kuzma providing length at the wing, Turner’s communication has tied the entire scheme together.
Turner said he made a deliberate effort to build relationships early. That initial chemistry was grown by a collective intent to come together in August and September before training camp.
“Communication is everything. That’s one thing I learned — just the stress and importance of preparation. I take a lot of pride in being a leader,” he explained. “I take a lot of pride in being someone who can pull guys together. I came in late August, early September, got to do some runs with the guys. Establishing equity with the team was important.”
Turner has been responsible for organizing coverages, redirecting matchups, and closing possessions on the boards. With his vocal presence, the Bucks have been intentional about communication and rotations have tightened. It’s the presence that helped Indiana reach the NBA Finals last season, along with two consecutive trips to the Eastern Conference.
Turner Sees Big Opportunity Offensively
Turner’s shooting has changed the Bucks’ offensive identity. Milwaukee has leveraged five-out spacing in multiple lineups, including bench-heavy combinations with Portis, Anthony, and Trent Jr. It has helped streamline the offense for players who thrive when the floor opens, such as Kuzma attacking closeouts or Rollins operating in pick-and-rolls with Turner as the popping threat.
Turner has emphasized knocking down open shots from the perimeter, but also leveraging that to attack closeouts. Doing so will create valuable chances to get into the paint to make plays in addition to attacking mismatches in traditional ways.
“For me, being able to distribute the ball to open up my game is a big thing,” Turner said. “I want to shoot the three ball a lot better… and being able to make more plays downhill. I think I’ll have more opportunities to make plays in the paint, and it’s important for the next stage of development in my career.”
He is already doing that, flashing more short-roll reads and finishing opportunities when defenders chase Milwaukee’s shooters off the line.
Milwaukee’s depth is among its most important advantages. The Bucks have legitimate rotation pieces at nearly every position: Kuzma’s scoring versatility, Rollins’ growing confidence, Green’s shooting, Portis’ bench scoring, Trent Jr.’s shot creation, Harris’ veteran defense, and Jackson Jr.’s athleticism.
Turner believes this balance will matter later in the season.
“Our depth, man. I think we’ve got great depth,” Turner said. “We still have a couple guys that are hurt who haven’t even gotten to play yet, but I think this team is built for the playoffs. Multiple guys can play multiple positions, longer minutes, and it’s really good for where we’re going.”
With Antetokounmpo orchestrating, Turner spacing and defending, and a deeper rotation built around skill and mobility, Milwaukee has renewed hope about its ceiling.
Turner wasn’t brought in to replicate Lopez or restore the past. He was signed to guide the Bucks into their next era — one defined by speed, spacing, and defensive versatility. His leadership, adaptability, and synergy with Antetokounmpo have shown promise amid the early adjustment process.