Milwaukee Big Man Reveals Why He Left Pacers After NBA Finals Run

The announcement that the Milwaukee Bucks would be signing big man Myles Turner was possibly the most unexpected move of the NBA summer thus far. Up until that point, it was certain that Turner would sign a new, rich contract with the Indiana Pacers, which would result in the Pacers paying the luxury tax for the first time since 2005. According to all reports, Indiana was perfectly happy to pay the tax in order to keep Turner.

But once Tyrese Haliburton suffered a devastating Achilles tear in Game 7 of the NBA Finals, things took a different turn. In addition to killing Indiana's chances of winning the championship in that pivotal Game 7, which the Oklahoma City Thunder ultimately prevailed in, Haliburton's injury fundamentally changed the Pacers' future. The Pacers weren't comfortable paying the tax for a squad that wouldn't be contending next season, so Turner became collateral damage as Indiana had to consider the big picture.