New Warriors Rumors Reveal Myles Turner Interest Level, Team's Stance on Trade Market

The Golden State Warriors have limited interest in Milwaukee Bucks center Myles Turner in part because of the team's reluctance to commit to long-term contracts ahead of what could be Stephen Curry's final seasons, NBA insider Jake Fischer reported Wednesday on The Stein Line's Substack.

The news comes after The Athletic's Jake Weinbach reported two weeks ago the Warriors had contacted the Bucks about a Kristaps Porziņģis trade potentially involving Turner.

According to Fischer, however, "sources say that the Warriors do not have Milwaukee's Myles Turner high on their list of potential targets."

ESPN's Shams Charania and Anthony Slater reported Wednesday the Warriors are not delivering salary payments to Porziņģis while still "exhausting trade avenues" for the veteran.

The Warriors have yet to make any major commitments outside of Curry past the 2026-27 season, at which point Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green are currently scheduled to hit unrestricted free agency.

Turner is playing this season under a $26.6 million cap hit. He is signed through at least the 2027-28 season with a $29 million player option for 2028-29, per Spotrac.

The Warriors were more interested when Turner was playing for a lower salary with the Indiana Pacers, Fischer reported. The team would now be expected to seek "draft capital or other forms of incentive" in order to take on Turner's deal, according to Fischer.

Fischer reported "sources insist that Golden State is prepared to part with draft capital and take on future money in-season if the deal brings back a worthwhile trade target," but added there are seemingly relatively few players who fit that description.

The Warriors have reached out to the Chicago Bulls about Jalen Smith and his expiring contract, per Fischer, who noted the Bulls could be reluctant to tank because of new NBA draft lottery rules penalizing teams at the bottom of the standings.

Golden State opened the season with three straight losses but is riding a five-game win streak into Thursday night's matchup against the visiting Miami Heat.

How general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. assesses his team's frontcourt depth amid the pending winter return of Butler from his right ACL injury could determine whether the Warriors ultimately restrict their future salary cap by taking a swing at the Feb. 11 trade deadline.