The Milwaukee Bucks have a new roster heading into the 2025-26 NBA season, and one player will be a key difference-maker.
The Milwaukee Bucks have had quite a turbulent offseason. After a third consecutive first-round exit, there were concerns about the future of their roster.
There were rumors of Giannis Antetokounmpo requesting a trade, having grown frustrated with the franchise’s inability to build a contender around him since their 2021 NBA championship win.
Instead, the Bucks made some bold moves, waiving Damian Lillard to sign Myles Turner in free agency. Turner, who just came off an NBA Finals run with the Indiana Pacers, is a big get for them.
Heading into the new season for the Milwaukee Bucks, it will be up to Turner to make a difference and reach All-Star status.
Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty ImagesMyles Turner must be the championship-level center who unlocks Giannis Antetokounmpo
Myles Turner is going to be the second option for the Milwaukee Bucks next season. With Damian Lillard now gone, he is the Bucks’ second-best player behind Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Last season, Turner’s scoring output continued to decline since a career-high 18 points per game in 2022-23, as he averaged just 15.6 points per game.
The same went for his rebounding, as he averaged just 6.5 rebounds. On the Indiana Pacers, Turner was the third option behind Pascal Siakam and Tyrese Haliburton.
Now, with added responsibility as a scorer and a rebounder, expect Turner to take things to another level. We saw in the playoffs that Turner is capable of levelling up, as he played a big role for the Pacers.
The benefit of pairing Turner with Giannis is that the former is a very good three-point shooter, providing Giannis with the sharpshooter at center he sorely needs.
Milwaukee Bucks have no choice but to be successful next season
The Milwaukee Bucks are going to have to fight to keep pace in the Eastern Conference. With the New York Knicks, Atlanta Hawks, and Orlando Magic all strengthening their rosters, the Bucks aren’t going to have it easy.
But what they’re fighting for isn’t just an NBA championship. For the Bucks, finding success next season is pivotal to keeping Giannis Antetokounmpo happy.
Giannis has made it clear that he will pursue other opportunities to compete for a championship if the Bucks can’t put a winning roster together.
Perhaps the addition of Turner can be the boost the Bucks needed to make them title contenders once again.