The Indiana Pacers are entering a dramatic offseason shake-up as head coach **Rick Carlisle** reportedly announced major roster and leadership changes. Carlisle, now in his second stint with the team, has emphasized culture and chemistry above all—and this summer, that vision is translating into five significant departures.
First, **Myles Turner**, the franchise centerpiece since 2015, has signed a four‑year, \$107 million deal with the **Milwaukee Bucks**, a move made possible by waiving **Damian Lillard** to clear salary cap space ([apnews.com][1], [reelnews.com.ng][2]). Second, reports suggest the Pacers may release or trade **Buddy Hield**, **T.J. McConnell**, and **Andrew Nembhard**, citing locker-room tension and fractured team cohesion ([reelnews.com.ng][2]).
Carlisle’s bold stance—prioritizing unity over star power—has drawn both praise and criticism. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst condemned Indiana’s unwillingness to pay the luxury tax to retain Turner, arguing Carlisle would be “furious” if key pieces weren’t kept intact while **Tyrese Haliburton** recovers from his offseason Achilles injury ([talksport.com][3]). Carlisle, however, maintains that silencing inner discord was essential to protect long-term stability.
Now the Pacers front office is expected to explore free-agent pickups and trade packages that align with Carlisle’s “team-first” blueprint. The coming weeks will reveal whether Indiana can convert its cultural reset into sustained on-court success.
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* [apnews.com](https://apnews.com/article/978b8bd4076ca59d7bb8c3dddd25003e?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
* [talksport.com](https://talksport.com/basketball/3339951/damian-lillard-milwaukee-bucks-giannis-antetokounmpo-myles-turner-pacers/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
[1]: https://apnews.com/article/978b8bd4076ca59d7bb8c3dddd25003e?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Myles Turner will join Bucks, who waive Damian Lillard, AP source says, in a free agency surprise”
[2]: https://www.reelnews.com.ng/2025/05/25/breaking-news-indiana-pacers-head-coach-rick-carlisle-drops-shocking-announcement-on-cutting-ties-with-3-key-players-due-to/?utm_source=chatgpt.com “BREAKING NEWS: Indiana Pacers Head Coach Rick Carlisle Drops Shocking Announcement on Cutting Ties with 3 Key Players Due to…..”
[3]: https://talksport.com/basketball/3339951/damian-lillard-milwaukee-bucks-giannis-antetokounmpo-myles-turner-pacers/?utm_source=chatgpt.com “‘Absolutely disgusted’ – Milwaukee Bucks make stunning move on rival star while leaving Giannis Antetokounmpo upset”
