Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton has never shied away from speaking openly about his team, its chemistry, and the challenges of competing in a relentlessly tough Eastern Conference. When Myles Turner, the Pacers’ longest-tenured player and defensive anchor, announced his decision to join the Milwaukee Bucks in free agency, Haliburton’s words carried significant weight. For years, Turner had been the defensive backbone of Indiana, a rim-protecting big man who also stretched the floor with his ability to hit three-pointers and provide spacing for guards like Haliburton. Turner’s departure not only marked the end of an era but also left the Pacers with a crucial hole in their lineup that will take time to fill. In his remarks, Haliburton acknowledged both the personal and professional implications of Turner’s exit, balancing gratitude for his former teammate with a realistic outlook on what lies ahead for the Pacers.
Haliburton’s comments were as reflective as they were candid, a sign of his maturation as the face of the franchise. “Myles is one of the best teammates I’ve had in my career,” Haliburton said during an offseason media session. “What he did for this team, not just on the court but in the locker room, it’s something that I’ll always appreciate. He’s a guy who came in every night, protected the rim, and played his role without complaining. At the same time, I get that players have to make the best decisions for their careers, and I respect his choice to go to Milwaukee. They’ve got a real shot at a championship, and that’s what every player wants.” Those words captured the bittersweet nature of Turner’s departure. While the Pacers are building something promising around Haliburton, Bennedict Mathurin, and a young core, the Bucks are firmly entrenched as perennial contenders, especially with stars like Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard now forming one of the most dynamic duos in the league.
Myles Turner’s decision to leave Indiana was not one made overnight. The 28-year-old big man had spent his entire career with the Pacers after being drafted by them in 2015. Over the years, he developed a reputation as one of the league’s premier shot blockers, regularly ranking near the top of the NBA in blocks per game. His ability to switch on defense, protect the paint, and space the floor offensively made him an ideal modern big man. Despite trade rumors almost every season, Turner remained loyal to Indiana, even signing an extension in 2023 that many thought would keep him in the blue and gold for years to come. However, the allure of joining a proven contender like Milwaukee, combined with the opportunity to play alongside an MVP-caliber talent like Antetokounmpo, ultimately proved too strong to resist. For the Bucks, Turner’s signing is a strategic masterstroke. After years of relying on Brook Lopez as their primary rim protector and stretch big, Milwaukee now has a younger, more mobile center who can seamlessly complement their stars.
From Haliburton’s perspective, Turner’s departure is both a challenge and an opportunity. The Pacers have been steadily improving since acquiring Haliburton in a blockbuster trade from the Sacramento Kings in 2022. His playmaking ability, combined with his leadership and scoring, has elevated Indiana from a rebuilding team to one with genuine playoff aspirations. Last season, Haliburton averaged career highs in points and assists, earning All-Star honors and establishing himself as one of the league’s brightest young guards. He and Turner developed a strong on-court chemistry, with Turner’s pick-and-pop game perfectly complementing Haliburton’s ability to penetrate and create for others. Losing that synergy means the Pacers will have to retool their offensive sets and defensive schemes, especially since Turner was often the last line of defense.
In his remarks, Haliburton made it clear that there are no hard feelings. “I told Myles that I’m happy for him,” he said. “We all want to compete for championships, and he’s got a great chance to do that in Milwaukee. For me, it’s about focusing on what’s here and what we’re building. We’ve got a young, talented group, and I believe in what we’re doing.” Those comments underscore Haliburton’s commitment to the Pacers’ long-term vision. Unlike some players who might feel slighted by a teammate’s departure, Haliburton appears to view Turner’s decision as part of the business side of the NBA, where loyalty often takes a backseat to opportunity.
The Pacers’ front office, led by president of basketball operations Kevin Pritchard, now faces the task of filling the void left by Turner. While Indiana has promising young bigs like Isaiah Jackson and Jalen Smith, neither possesses Turner’s combination of elite rim protection and three-point shooting. There is also the question of how the Pacers’ defense will hold up without their former center, who frequently bailed them out of difficult situations with his shot-blocking and positioning. Last season, Indiana ranked in the middle of the pack defensively, but without Turner, that ranking could slip unless they make additional moves or commit to a more team-oriented defensive approach.
Turner’s decision to join the Bucks has broader implications for the Eastern Conference as well. Milwaukee, already a top contender with Giannis and Lillard, now adds another weapon to its arsenal. Turner’s ability to stretch the floor will open up driving lanes for Antetokounmpo, while his shot-blocking will help solidify a defense that occasionally struggled against elite offensive teams. For the Pacers, this means the path to the top of the East just got even tougher. Teams like the Boston Celtics, Philadelphia 76ers, Miami Heat, and now the revamped Bucks are all vying for supremacy, and Indiana must find a way to compete without one of its foundational players.
Haliburton’s role in navigating this transition cannot be overstated. As the leader of the team, he will be expected to shoulder even more responsibility, both as a scorer and as a facilitator. Fortunately for the Pacers, Haliburton has shown that he thrives under pressure. His combination of vision, creativity, and composure makes him one of the most unique guards in the NBA. However, even he acknowledges that the loss of Turner will be felt on and off the court. “It’s not just about what Myles did in games,” Haliburton said. “He was a leader in the locker room, someone who always spoke up when things weren’t going right. That’s something we’re going to miss, and it’s on all of us to step up and fill that void.”
