The Milwaukee Bucks are positioning themselves for a strong showing in the 2025-26 NBA season, with Giannis Antetokounmpo leading the charge in his 13th year. A significant offseason move was the acquisition of Myles Turner on a four-year deal, filling the gap left by Brook Lopez's departure. However, this acquisition came at the expense of waiving Damian Lillard, despite his contract having only two years left. This decision signals a commitment to keeping Antetokounmpo content, suggesting a focus on immediate competitiveness rather than holding onto Lillard, who is now a free agent.

Potentially impacting the Bucks, Lillard's next destination could be the Boston Celtics, especially as they deal with Jayson Tatum's Achilles injury, which might allow Lillard to recover fully before returning to form. If Lillard can regain his previous elite level in Boston, it could create challenges for the Bucks in playoff scenarios, particularly if they meet in key matchups. The Bucks must now navigate this evolving landscape while focusing on maintaining their championship aspirations amidst significant roster changes.

Myles Turner has made a surprising move this offseason, leaving the Indiana Pacers to join the Milwaukee Bucks on a four-year, $107 million deal. Despite speculation linking him to the Los Angeles Lakers and other teams, Turner chose to prioritize competitiveness, stating that his experience in the playoffs has changed his perspective on the league. The Bucks, having recently reached the Finals, seem poised for success, while the Pacers, missing Tyrese Haliburton, may struggle initially but are expected to rebound when he returns.

The Boston Celtics have seen a vast array of players don their jerseys over the decades, with a total of 68 numbers utilized since the team's inception. Among these is the number 26, worn by Aaron Nesmith from 2020 to 2022. Drafted 14th overall from Vanderbilt, Nesmith contributed an average of 4.2 points and 2.2 rebounds during his two seasons in Boston. He became known not only for his versatility as a forward but also for his potential as a budding star. Following his stint with the Celtics, he was traded to the Indiana Pacers, continuing his career in the NBA and adding to the legacy of the number 26 jersey.

The Oklahoma City Thunder face off against the Indiana Pacers today in the Summer League, with both teams looking to build on their opening wins. The Thunder secured a solid victory over the Brooklyn Nets, with standout performances from Nikola Topic, who scored 18 points, and Ajay Mitchell, who led the team with 20 points. Meanwhile, the Pacers edged the Cleveland Cavaliers in a thrilling match, thanks to RayJ Dennis's impressive 26 points and nine assists, alongside Quenton Jackson's explosive 24 points off the bench.

Fans tuning in can catch the game on NBA TV, starting at 4:30 p.m. CT. Injuries loom large for the Thunder as they will be without Thomas Sorber due to foot surgery, while injury updates for the Pacers are still pending. Both teams will hope their young talents can shine in this highly competitive Summer League.

The Milwaukee Bucks are making significant changes to their roster, notably waiving Damian Lillard and stretching his $113 million contract over five years, allowing them for financial flexibility. This move facilitated the signing of former Pacers center Myles Turner, who secured a four-year, $108.9 million deal with a player option for the 2028-29 season. Turner expressed that his decision was driven by a desire to compete at a high level, highlighting Milwaukee's commitment to winning.

This marks the end of Turner's decade-long tenure with the Indiana Pacers, the team that drafted him in 2015. Despite the Pacers' offer of $22 million per year, he felt that aligning himself with a winning culture was more important, especially with star teammate Tyrese Haliburton recovering from an injury. Joining forces with Giannis Antetokounmpo, Turner aims to improve the Bucks' chances of securing a championship, something he couldn't achieve in Indiana.