Tyrese Haliburton Reflects on Myles Turner Leaving Pacers to Join Bucks, Says Decision Was ‘Tough but Understandable for Both Sides’

Tyrese Haliburton has never been one to shy away from speaking his mind. As the undisputed leader of the Indiana Pacers and one of the NBA’s most thoughtful young stars, Haliburton carries a voice that echoes both within his locker room and around the league. So when longtime Pacers center Myles Turner made headlines by leaving Indiana in free agency to sign a lucrative contract with the Milwaukee Bucks, fans waited to hear Haliburton’s take.

Now, the All-Star point guard is speaking out — and doing so with empathy, maturity, and clarity.

A Relationship Built on Trust and Respect

“Myles and I went through a lot together,” Haliburton said during an interview with The Athletic. “From making the playoffs to getting knocked down early, to learning how to lead — he was a huge part of my growth as a player and a person.”

Haliburton, who joined the Pacers via trade from Sacramento in 2022, quickly developed strong on-court chemistry with Turner. Their pick-and-roll dynamic anchored Indiana’s offensive identity, and Turner’s shot-blocking and floor spacing gave Haliburton freedom to create.

So when Turner made the decision to leave — reportedly signing a four-year, $116 million deal with Milwaukee — Haliburton admitted it stung.

“It was tough,” he said. “Not because I didn’t see it coming — I mean, we’d talked about it a little — but because you just never really prepare for losing a guy like that.”

Turner’s Move to Milwaukee: A Contender’s Play

From Turner’s perspective, the move to the Bucks makes sense. Milwaukee is in win-now mode, with Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard leading a championship-caliber core. Adding a versatile big man like Turner to that mix signals Milwaukee’s intent to dominate the East defensively while adding another layer of shooting around Giannis.

For Indiana, the loss is notable but not devastating. The Pacers are a young, ascending team built around Haliburton, Bennedict Mathurin, Jarace Walker, and others. The front office has cap space and flexibility, and sources indicate they were not willing to match Milwaukee’s offer for Turner.

Still, losing a veteran cornerstone hurts.

Haliburton: “It Was the Right Time for Him”

Haliburton emphasized that there were no hard feelings between him and Turner.

“We had honest conversations,” he said. “He felt like it was time for a new challenge. And I respect that. He gave everything to this franchise for almost a decade.”

Turner, drafted by the Pacers in 2015, was the team’s longest-tenured player. Over the years, he became known for his elite rim protection, three-point shooting, and loyalty to Indiana — even as trade rumors swirled constantly.

“I know people wanted him to stay here forever,” Haliburton added, “but in this league, that’s just not how it always works.”

The Locker Room Reacts

According to reports, Turner’s departure caught several Pacers players off guard, though none were blindsided. “Everyone knew it was a possibility,” one source close to the team said. “But it still hit hard when it actually happened.”

Bennedict Mathurin posted a farewell message on Instagram, writing: “Big bro, thank you for everything. Gonna miss our battles in practice. Go get that chip.”

Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle praised Turner’s professionalism and contributions: “We wouldn’t be where we are without Myles. He set the tone for our defense and was a tremendous leader.”

Haliburton’s Role Moving Forward

Turner’s exit now puts even more responsibility on Haliburton’s shoulders. Already the engine of Indiana’s offense, he’ll now be expected to elevate his leadership in a more vocal, commanding way.

“It’s part of the job,” Haliburton said. “When you want to be great — when you want to win championships — you embrace that. I’m ready.”

Sources say the Pacers plan to be aggressive in using their cap space to find a replacement, with interest in several free agent big men and the potential for a trade.

“There’s still a lot of talent here,” Haliburton said. “And I believe in what we’re building.”

Life Without Myles

With Turner gone, Indiana will lean more heavily on young big men like Isaiah Jackson and Jalen Smith, though neither offers the two-way versatility Turner brought. The front office is expected to prioritize floor-spacing centers who can fit alongside Haliburton’s uptempo style.

But Haliburton believes the team’s identity remains intact.

“We’re still going to play fast. Still going to move the ball. Still going to defend,” he said. “It’ll just be with new faces.”

Mutual Respect Between Friends

While some fans may question Turner’s loyalty or the Pacers’ decision not to retain him, Haliburton sees it differently.

“There’s no bad blood,” he said. “He did what was best for him and his family. At the end of the day, we’re all trying to do that.”

Asked if he’ll stay in touch with Turner, Haliburton smiled. “Of course. We’ve been through too much not to. I’ll be rooting for him — unless he’s playing us.”

Looking Ahead

As the Pacers gear up for the 2025–26 season, they’ll do so with a clear understanding that the torch has fully passed to Haliburton. He is no longer just the face of the franchise — he’s the one guiding its future.

“I’m not looking back,” Haliburton said. “I’m proud of everything we did together. But now it’s about what’s next.”

For Myles Turner, that means chasing a championship in Milwaukee.

For Tyrese Haliburton and the Pacers, it means proving they can build one of their own — with or without their longest-serving cornerstone.