Myles Turner’s Shocking Eastern Conference Switch: What This Means for the Season’s Power Balance

Alright, let’s cut to the chase—just a few weeks ago, the Indiana Pacers were on the cusp of an NBA championship, and now? They’ve lost not one, but two monumental pieces of their puzzle. Myles Turner’s jaw-dropping four-year, $107 million jump to the Milwaukee Bucks has shaken the Eastern Conference to its core. Seriously, did anyone see this coming? The Pacers looked like a force to be reckoned with—then bam—they let go of a star who not only defined their defense but also gave them that edge. It’s a move that raises the question: are the Pacers about to fade into the background, or is this just an unexpected recalibration before they strike back? With Tyrese Haliburton also out the door, Indiana faces a whole new reality next season—and the Bucks just got a whole lot tougher. Buckle up, because this offseason just flipped the script in the East in a way that’ll have basketball fans talking for a long, long time.

The Indiana Pacers were just one win away from an NBA championship only a few weeks ago, but it might be a long time before they get that close again.

On Tuesday morning, the NBA world was shocked when Shams Charania reported that Myles Turner was agreeing to a four-year, $107 million deal with the Milwaukee Bucks.

That means the Pacers will be without two of their biggest stars next season, while their Eastern Conference rival will get much stronger.

BREAKING: 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, sources tell ESPN. Stunner. pic.twitter.com/MlDkZusVOv

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2025

It was assumed that the Pacers would pay the luxury tax this summer in order to retain Turner, but they obviously had a change of heart.

Letting him go to another team is a shocking move, and one that could haunt Indiana for a long time.

Not only did they lose Turner, but they will be without Tyrese Haliburton next season, too.

Plus, the Bucks will benefit from the hard work and excellent skill of Turner, making the East that much tougher.

All of this stings badly for the Pacers just weeks after losing the championship to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Turner’s name had been in multiple trade rumors over the last few years, but they never resulted in anything.

Ironically, he is now leaving the team after they had their best season in decades and became a true and established threat in the East.

Was that just a flash in the pan?

With Haliburton absent for next season and Turner gone for good, the Pacers will look really different in the new year.

Fans were hoping they’d take another run through the East and maybe win a title, but their chances greatly diminished on Tuesday morning.

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