Myles Turner is no longer with the Indiana Pacers, but that hasn’t stopped him from speaking his mind. In a recent interview, the 29-year-old center addressed the criticism he received during his time in Indy and had some strong words for those who doubted him. As he prepares for a fresh start with the Bucks, Turner made it clear that he hasn’t forgotten the way things ended with the franchise he once called home.
“I don’t know what to expect, I really don’t. I think it’s gonna be half-and-half,” said Turner in a chat on NBA TV. “Even my time there (in Indy), there were a lot of people who wanted me to be off the team, and now they got what they wanted, and now they’re complaining still.”
Turner did not elaborate on which people wanted him out of Indiana, but it’s not an accident that he’s been mixed up in trade rumors for the better part of a decade now. As a 6’11” big man, his unique skills around the rim are coveted across the league, and the Pacers were making no effort to keep him out of the headlines. Still, few expected him to walk away just as the franchise was reaching its peak.
After making the East Finals in 2024 and then the NBA Finals in 2025, Indiana was seen as a team on the rise. Meanwhile, Turner was one of their most valuable players who helped them secure respect as a top contender in the East. With averages of 15.6 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game last season, the Pacers leaned on Myles, and he delivered big performances game after game. It was a mutually beneficial relationship.
Fresh off an appearance in the NBA Finals, alongside his friend and co-star, Tyrese Haliburton, Turner was widely expected to re-sign with the Pacers and stay in Indiana for the next five years. So when he suddenly joined the Bucks without any prior warning, it came as a shock to almost everyone across the league. It seems the fans never quite accepted him there, but it’s too late to go back now.
In Milwaukee, alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo, Turner will have a chance to shape his legacy, and it starts on the defensive end. With Giannis leading the way, Turner will be firmly slotted into a frontcourt role, where he can thrive as a rim protector and interior anchor.
For now, however, fans are still not convinced he made the right decision. While some support the decision, others believe Turner may have overestimated what’s waiting for him on the other side. The best thing he can do now is prove the doubters wrong with excellent play on the court and show Bucks fans that he can deliver on what’s expected.
Whether you see it as bitterness or honesty, Turner’s message is loud and clear—he remembers who doubted him. Now in Milwaukee, with a legitimate shot at a title, he has the perfect opportunity to prove exactly what the Pacers gave up. If he rises to the moment, that quote might end up sounding a lot more like prophecy than pettiness.
