"Pacers window officially closed" - NBA fans react to Myles Turner leaving Indiana to join Giannis Antetokounmpo's Bucks

On Tuesday, Shams Charania announced that Myles Turner agreed to a four-year deal with Giannis Antetokounmpo's Milwaukee Bucks. While Turner, who had spent his entire career with Indiana, wanted to stay with the team, their unwillingness to go into the luxury tax has led to the two sides parting ways.

In order to create enough cap space to get a deal done, Milwaukee has waived Damian Lillard, stretching the remaining $113 million on his contract out over the next five years.

In response to the news, NBA fans were quick to weigh in:

EgorDEMONMuse

@EgorDEMONMuse

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Pacers window officially closed

Red Raider Man

@RedRaiderMan1

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So the owners lied about wanting to get into the tax?

Plenty of other fans were quick to react as well:

Nic Thomas

@NicThomasNBA

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The Pacers are never contending again

sea

@destroynectar

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Indiana let they future go

NBA Hoops Online

@NBABoards

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Indiana messed up big time here

The move not only lands Milwaukee another star with playoff experience, but also fills the void left by Brook Lopez's departure. When free agency opened, the veteran big man, who won a title with the Bucks in 2021, signed a two-year deal with the LA Clippers.

Although his decision left a hole in Milwaukee's starting group, Myles Turner brings many of the same skills as Lopez, and is fresh off a season where he shot a career-high 39.6% from beyond the arc, averaging 2.2 made 3-pointers per game, compared to Lopez, who shot 37.3% and made an average of 1.7 3-pointers per game last season.

Looking at what the acquisition of Myles Turner means for Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks going forward

Heading into this offseason, there was rampant speculation that Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks could part ways.

Theories circulated indicating that the two-time MVP could join the Houston Rockets or the San Antonio Spurs, but instead, The Greek Freak maintained his commitment to Milwaukee.

The conversation then shifted as fans wondered how the Bucks would remain competitive without having future draft assets available.

By waiving Lillard, however, the team cleared a considerable amount of cap space.

In turn, they were able to not only sign Turner, but also re-sign Bobby Portis, Gary Trent Jr. Taurean Prince, and Kevin Porter Jr. Additionally, the team signed Gary Harris to a new deal following a 3.5-year stint in Orlando.

Considering Myles Turner is just 29 years old, compared to Lopez, who is 37, the Bucks have not only gotten younger but also set themselves up with a talented two-way big man who can anchor their defense for the next several years.

Although they lose an all-time great in Damian Lillard, the Bucks' latest moves make it clear that the team is looking to remain competitive for the year ahead with the Eastern Conference looking wide open.