The Milwaukee Bucks’ acquisition of Myles Turner in the 2025 offseason, a move that saw them waive Damian Lillard to clear cap space, was a bold gamble aimed at keeping Giannis Antetokounmpo satisfied and extending the Bucks’ championship window. Turner, a versatile 3-and-D center, brings shot-blocking prowess and floor-spacing ability to pair with the two-time MVP. However, while this move addresses some roster deficiencies, it falls short of solving Giannis’ challenges in high-pressure playoff games. This blog post delves into the reasons why Turner, despite his talents, is unlikely to be the complete solution for Giannis and the Bucks in critical postseason moments.

The Bucks have struggled in recent playoffs, with only one series win since their 2021 title. Injuries, including Giannis’ own and Damian Lillard’s Achilles tear in 2025, have played a role, but deeper issues persist in high-pressure games. In playoff scenarios, opponents often exploit Giannis’ limitations by building defensive “walls” to clog the paint, forcing him to rely on his developing jumper or playmaking under pressure. The Bucks’ lack of a reliable point guard and inconsistent perimeter creation has compounded these issues, leaving Giannis to shoulder an immense offensive load. The hope was that Turner, with his defensive versatility and three-point shooting, would alleviate these problems. However, several factors suggest he won’t fully address Giannis’ high-pressure struggles.

Strengths

Myles Turner, at 29, is a proven two-way center. His defensive impact is notable, having led the NBA in blocks multiple times, including a 2021 season where he averaged nearly four blocks per game. In the 2024-25 season, he set a Pacers’ playoff record with 46 blocks during their Finals run. His ability to switch on defence, roam, and protect the rim makes him a theoretical complement to Giannis, who also excels defensively with 1.1 blocks and 1.2 steals per game. Offensively, Turner’s 40.5% three-point shooting on passes from Tyrese Haliburton last season suggests he can stretch the floor, creating space for Giannis’ drives.

The Bucks envision Turner as a modernized replacement for Brook Lopez, who was a key floor-spacer during their 2021 championship run. With Giannis potentially taking on more point-forward duties, Turner’s ability to shoot “wide-open” threes (121 made in 2024-25, tied for first in the NBA) could keep defenses honest. Coach Doc Rivers has praised Turner’s fit, noting his ability to switch defensively and stretch the floor, which aligns with Milwaukee’s up-tempo vision.

Limitations

Despite these strengths, Turner’s game has notable weaknesses that may not fully address the Bucks’ needs in high-pressure situations:

1. Rebounding Deficiency: Turner has never been an elite rebounder, often criticized for not securing defensive rebounds to end possessions. In the 2024-25 season, he averaged just 6.9 rebounds per game despite his 6’11” frame, a stark contrast to Giannis’ 11.9 rebounds. In playoff games, where possessions are critical, Turner’s inability to dominate the glass could allow opponents to generate second-chance points, putting additional pressure on Giannis to clean up defensively.
2. Limited Playmaking: High-pressure games often require big men to make quick decisions under defensive scrutiny. Turner is not a strong playmaker, with career averages of 1.3 assists per game and a focus on finishing rather than creating. Unlike former teammate Domantas Sabonis, who facilitated offense for the Pacers, Turner relies on guards like Haliburton to set him up. With the Bucks lacking an elite point guard after waiving Lillard, Turner’s limited passing ability may not alleviate the playmaking burden on Giannis.
3. Inconsistent Playoff Performance: While Turner was a key contributor to the Pacers’ 2024 Finals run, he didn’t consistently close important games. For example, in matchups against Giannis, he struggled defensively, allowing Antetokounmpo to score 64 and 37 points in two games during the 2023-24 season. In high-pressure moments, Turner’s defensive impact can wane if opponents exploit his positioning or force him into foul trouble, a recurring issue given his physical style.
4. Offensive Dependency on Setup: Turner’s offensive production, particularly his three-point shooting, relies heavily on quality guard play. In Indiana, Haliburton’s elite passing (10+ assists per game) created open looks for Turner. Without a comparable facilitator in Milwaukee, Turner’s efficiency from deep could dip, especially in playoff scenarios where defences tighten and rotations are shorter. Giannis’ play making has improved (6.5 assists per game), but he’s not a traditional point guard, and his passes to shooters like Bobby Portis (50% from three on 34 attempts) were less frequent than Haliburton’s to Turner.

Giannis’ High-Pressure Challenges

Giannis thrives in transition and interior scoring, leading the NBA with 779 two-point field goals in 2024-25. However, in high-pressure playoff games, teams employ specific strategies to neutralize him:

• Paint Clogging: Opponents like the Pacers in 2024 used multiple defenders to form a “wall,” forcing Giannis to shoot from mid-range or beyond (he shot 0-1 from three in Game 4). His jumper, while improved, remains inconsistent under pressure.
• Playmaking Pressure: Without a reliable secondary creator, Giannis often faces double-teams, leading to turnovers or forced shots. In Game 5 against the Pacers, despite a 30-point, 20-rebound, 13-assist triple-double, the Bucks lost 119-118 in overtime, highlighting the lack of support.
• Fatigue and Injuries: Giannis’ heavy minutes (44 in Game 5) and physical style make him prone to fatigue or injury, as seen in recent playoffs. A co-star who can take over games offensively is critical, but Turner’s role is more complementary than dominant.

Why Turner Falls Short

1. Lack of a Primary Creator

The Bucks’ decision to waive Lillard, a nine-time All-Star who averaged 28.0 points per game alongside Giannis, leaves a void in perimeter creation. Turner’s addition doesn’t address this. His offensive game relies on others to create opportunities, and with Giannis now expected to handle point-forward duties, the Bucks may struggle to generate consistent offence in crunch time. In high-pressure games, teams will likely dare Turner to create off the dribble or in isolation, areas where he’s unproven.

2. Defensive Redundancy

While Turner’s shot-blocking complements Giannis’ defensive versatility, it may not significantly elevate the Bucks’ playoff defence. Both players excel at rim protection, but the Bucks’ perimeter defence remains a concern without a lockdown guard like Jrue Holiday. In the 2024 playoffs, the Pacers exploited Milwaukee’s back court, with Tyrese Haliburton and Andrew Nembhard finding gaps in pick-and-roll coverage. Turner’s ability to switch is valuable, but he’s not a perimeter stopper, and opponents can target weaker defenders like Gary Trent Jr. or Kyle Kuzma.

3. Playoff Provenance

Turner’s playoff resume, while solid, doesn’t match the impact of a true co-star. During the Pacers’ Finals run, he was a secondary contributor behind Haliburton and Pascal Siakam. In contrast, Giannis needs a player who can take over games when he’s double-teamed or fatigued. Turner’s career-high 40-point games are rare, and he’s never been the focal point of a playoff offense. His 2021 Defensive Player of the Year candidacy was notable, but he hasn’t consistently dominated high-stakes games.

4. Financial and Strategic Risks

The Bucks’ move to waive Lillard and stretch his $113 million contract over five years ($22.5 million annually) limits their future flexibility. If Turner doesn’t elevate the Bucks to contention, Giannis, who has a player option in 2027-28, may grow restless. Reports indicate mixed feelings from Giannis about the move, with some sources suggesting he was “not pleased” with Lillard’s departure despite excitement for Turner. The pressure is on Turner to deliver immediately, but his skill set may not fully address the Bucks’ postseason shortcomings.

What Giannis Needs in High-Pressure Games

To truly solve Giannis’ problems in high-pressure games, the Bucks need:

• A Primary Perimeter Creator: A guard who can break down defences, create shots, and alleviate Giannis’ play-making burden. Lillard, despite his struggles, provided this to an extent. Current options like Kevin Porter Jr. or Gary Trent Jr. lack the consistency of an elite point guard.
• Versatile Wing Defender: A player like Jrue Holiday, who could guard multiple positions and handle the ball, was critical in 2021. Turner’s interior defense is strong, but the Bucks need perimeter stoppers to counter guards like Haliburton or Jalen Brunson.
• Clutch Scoring: Giannis’ 62% field goal percentage is elite, but his free-throw shooting (65-70% in playoffs) and lack of a reliable jumper limit his clutch scoring. Turner’s three-point shooting helps, but he’s not a go-to scorer in tight games.

So will it move the needle?

Myles Turner is a valuable addition to the Bucks, bringing defensive versatility and floor-spacing that complements Giannis Antetokounmpo’s game. His shot-blocking and three-point shooting address some of Milwaukee’s needs, particularly in replacing Brook Lopez. However, Turner’s limitations—weak rebounding, lack of play-making, and inconsistent playoff impact—mean he’s not the complete solution for Giannis’ high-pressure struggles. The Bucks’ lack of a primary creator, perimeter defence, and clutch scoring options remain unaddressed, and the financial burden of Lillard’s stretched contract adds pressure for immediate results. Unless Turner significantly elevates his game or the Bucks make additional moves, Giannis may continue to face the same postseason challenges, potentially fuelling speculation about his long-term future in Milwaukee. If they are lucky, maybe they get to the second round of the playoffs this year. For Giannis the No1 priority is to make sure everyone keeps blaming the rest of the roster and not him.