Mavericks' longtime dream trade target finds stunning new home in chaotic twist

NBA free agency started slow yesterday, especially for the Dallas Mavericks, as their only move of the day was signing D'Angelo Russell to a two-year deal. The Mavericks' roster is now full following the Russell signing, and just as fans thought that NBA news had died down on Tuesday morning, the Milwaukee Bucks made a series of shocking moves that no one saw coming.

The Bucks waived Damian Lillard and signed Myles Turner to a four-year, $107 million deal, according to a report from ESPN's Shams Charania. Turner was expected to return to the Indiana Pacers after helping lead them to the NBA Finals for the second time in franchise history, but the shocking release of Lillard helped the Bucks do the unthinkable and sign Turner, the longtime fan-favorite trade target in Dallas.

Mavs fans have wanted Dallas to trade for or sign Turner for years, and the Mavericks have shown interest in Turner on the trade market multiple times. This interest has always made fans hope that he would find his way to Dallas, but that doesn't seem like it will be happening anytime soon.

Mavericks fans' Myles Turner dream now seems lightyears away

While it didn't make sense for the Mavericks to sign Turner right now, as they didn't have money to spend on the open market to begin with, Dallas fans will likely always want Turner to join the squad. They've needed a reliable stretch big for years, and he would help strengthen Nico Harrison's vision of dominating the paint with elite bigs and defense.

The Mavericks already have several strong bigs, as Daniel Gafford, Dereck Lively II, and Anthony Davis are all locked up on long-term deals, but fans will always have a special place in their heart for Turner and his potential fit in Dallas.

Turner grew up in the DFW metroplex, as he was born in Bedford, Texas, and attended Trinity High School in Euless before playing one season at the University of Texas and later declaring for the NBA Draft. He is a Texan through and through, but his potential dream chance to play in the Lone Star State for his hometown team now looks to be years away.

With the Bucks adding Turner, they now have a scary frontline pairing of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Turner, and even though waiving Lillard may have frustrated Antetokounmpo initially, they have done a good job of shuffling the cards around him to try to put a decent roster around him to help him compete for a title.

The Eastern Conference is seemingly wide open with Tyrese Haliburton tearing his ACL and Turner heading to the Bucks, and Turner could end up competing for a spot in the NBA Finals with his new team before he knows it.

Mavericks fans will always wonder how Turner would have fit in Dallas, considering the team's occasional interest in making him a Maverick, and it looks like this dream is going to have to wait at least a few years. Making Turner a Maverick one day will likely end up being a major challenge due to his age, new contract, and the state that the Mavs will be in when his contract expires (building around Cooper Flagg), and the most likely way to make him a Maverick will likely be in free agency toward the end of his career.