Tyrese Haliburton Reacts to Myles Turner Signing with Bucks After Leaving Pacers: “He Made the Best Choice for Himself”

Change is inevitable in the NBA, but some departures hit harder than others. For Tyrese Haliburton, the news that longtime teammate and Pacers anchor Myles Turner had signed a free-agent deal with the Milwaukee Bucks this offseason was more than just another transaction—it was the end of a chapter defined by mutual trust, growth, and a shared fight to elevate the Indiana Pacers into serious contention.

Turner, who spent the first nine years of his NBA career in Indiana, chose to sign a lucrative four-year contract with Milwaukee, joining a frontcourt that already includes two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo and All-Star Damian Lillard. The move shocked many fans, especially after Indiana’s inspiring Finals run, but Turner’s decision was rooted in a desire to compete for a title now. For Haliburton, who quickly developed a close on- and off-court relationship with Turner since arriving in Indiana via trade in 2022, the emotions are complex but grounded in respect.

“I’ve got nothing but love for Myles,” Haliburton said in a recent interview. “He gave everything to this franchise. He was here through the ups and downs. When I first got to Indiana, he was one of the first guys to take me under his wing. So yeah, it stings to see him go, but I completely understand why he made the move. He made the best choice for himself, and I support that 100 percent.”

Haliburton didn’t sugarcoat the loss. The duo had formed the backbone of Indiana’s unexpected surge to the NBA Finals last season. Turner’s rim protection and floor spacing gave Haliburton the freedom to operate and elevate his game to an All-NBA level. Their pick-and-roll chemistry, defensive communication, and shared leadership were essential in shaping the Pacers’ identity. In many ways, they embodied the team’s balance—youthful and dynamic on the perimeter, experienced and steady inside.

“Basketball-wise, he did so many things for us that people don’t always see in the box score,” Haliburton said. “The communication on defense, the way he helped our young guys understand positioning, timing, angles. He’s one of the smartest bigs I’ve played with. I learned so much just from being on the court with him.”

The departure of a player like Turner would be a seismic shift for any team, but for the Pacers—who are still navigating their role as a rising power in the Eastern Conference—it forces a recalibration. With Turner gone, Indiana must now consider a new identity defensively and structurally. Questions immediately surfaced about how the Pacers would fill the void. Would they go after a new center in free agency? Will second-year big Jarace Walker get more minutes? Will the team shift to a faster, smaller lineup?

Haliburton, who is rapidly emerging as the face of the franchise and its spiritual leader, believes the answer lies in trust—not just in new personnel, but in the Pacers’ ability to evolve.

“This is the NBA. Every summer brings change. I’ve learned that already in just a few years,” Haliburton said. “You never replace a guy like Myles with just one person. It takes the whole group adjusting, guys stepping up, coaches reworking schemes. But that’s what makes this exciting too. We’ve got a lot of young guys who are hungry, and we’ve built a culture here that doesn’t depend on just one person. We’ll find a way to keep pushing forward.”

Still, Haliburton acknowledged that seeing Turner in a Bucks jersey next season will be surreal. “It’s going to be weird, no doubt,” he admitted. “He’s worn one jersey his whole career. I mean, he was Indiana in a lot of ways. But I also know he’s going to thrive there. He fits their style. He’ll get to compete for a championship. I want that for him.”

The Bucks, who were ousted early in the playoffs due to injuries and inconsistency, are banking on Turner to solidify their defense and add a reliable third scoring option alongside Giannis and Dame. Turner’s ability to stretch the floor, defend in space, and anchor the paint fits the Bucks’ system well—and they paid accordingly, signing him to a deal reportedly worth $96 million over four years. For Turner, it was not only a chance to win but also a recognition of his value after years of flying under the national radar in Indiana.

In the days following the announcement, Turner posted a heartfelt farewell on social media, thanking Pacers fans, teammates, and the city of Indianapolis for nearly a decade of support. Haliburton reposted it with a simple message: “Forever love. Go get that ring.” It was a moment that spoke to their friendship beyond basketball—a rare example of loyalty and mutual respect in a league often dominated by cold transactions and short-lived connections.

Looking ahead, Haliburton is already focused on what comes next for the Pacers. With a core that still includes Bennedict Mathurin, Andrew Nembhard, Aaron Nesmith, and the recently extended Isaiah Jackson, Indiana remains one of the most promising young teams in the league. Add to that Haliburton’s continued ascension as a floor general and shot creator, and the team’s trajectory is still pointing upward.

But the hole left by Turner isn’t just tactical—it’s emotional. For Haliburton and other young Pacers, Turner was more than a big man setting screens and blocking shots. He was the bridge between the team’s past and future. A mentor. A voice in the locker room. A standard-setter.

“That’s the part people don’t see,” Haliburton said. “Myles was the one telling guys to stay after practice, watching film with rookies, pulling people aside during timeouts. He was always about doing the right thing, even when the team wasn’t winning a lot. That stuff matters. That’s leadership.”

Now, the mantle of leadership fully shifts to Haliburton. While he’s never been shy about taking ownership of the team, Turner’s presence allowed him to share that load. In Turner’s absence, Haliburton will be counted on to lead not only with his dazzling passing and clutch shooting but also with his voice and presence in the locker room.

“It’s something I’ve been preparing for, and something I take seriously,” he said. “We’re trying to build something sustainable here. That means being accountable, setting the tone, and helping the next group grow into their roles. Myles showed me what that looks like. Now it’s on me.”

The Eastern Conference is as loaded as ever. Boston remains a juggernaut, the Knicks are retooled and physical, Miami is always lurking, and now Milwaukee—with Turner—has reasserted itself as a serious title threat. But Haliburton isn’t interested in narratives or rankings. He believes in Indiana’s foundation, in the chemistry that powered them through the playoffs, and in the hunger that remains.

“There’s a fire in this locker room,” he said. “And honestly, Myles leaving doesn’t dim that—it just gives us a new reason to prove who we are. We’re still climbing. And we’re going to honor everything he helped build by taking the next step.”

Whether Turner wins a ring in Milwaukee or not, his influence on Indiana won’t fade. And for Haliburton, the best way to thank his former teammate isn’t with words but with continued excellence, leadership, and maybe, someday, by raising a banner of his own in Indiana.