NBA

Suns sign PG Tyus Jones to one-year, $3.3 million contract

The collective sound you just heard were Western Conference general managers banging their fists against their desks.

The Suns, in luxury-tax hell, had no business signing a player of Jones’ caliber, yet here we are. The 28-year-old posted 12.0 points and 7.3 assisters per game last season, leading the NBA in assist-to-turnover ratio.

Jones will probably start for Phoenix, and it’ll be up to new head coach Mike Budenholzer to decide between Bradley Beal and Grayson Allen for the fifth starting spot around Jones, Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Jusuf Nurkic. No matter what happens, the Suns’ outlook for 2024-25 looks better with the nine-year veteran in the picture.

Grade: A+

Pacers sign SG Quenton Jackson to two-way contract

The Pacers must believe in Jackson to bring him back after last season. I don’t. The swingman is an interesting athlete, but he’s already 25 and not developed enough as an all-around player.

Jackson played in three games last year with Indiana.

Grade: D+

MLB

Marlins receive: C Agustin Ramirez, SS Jared Serna and 2B Abrahan Ramirez

Yankees receive: CF Jazz Chisholm

The time was now for Miami to move Chisholm, an enigmatic, but talented player. This package isn’t a home run for the Marlins, but Agustin Ramirez and Serna will both slot in as top-eight prospects for the Fish, giving the organization more depth in the upper minors.

The Yankees need help in a number of areas across the diamond, making Chisholm a nice fit. The 26-year-old isn’t having his best season — a .249 batting average, 13 home runs and 50 RBI — but he’s been playing well lately.

This is a reasonable price to pay for a significant upgrade in Chisholm for New York.

Marlins Grade: B-

Yankees Grade: B+

Angels receive: SP George Klassen and SP Samuel Aldegheri

Phillies receive: RP Carlos Estevez

Smart teams land large returns for relievers. The Angels haven’t acted like a smart team for the better part of a decade, but this is a great move for the Halos. Aldegheri a nice add, but Klassen is even better, as the starter will slot in as Los Angeles’ No. 3 prospect.

The Phillies are a World Series contender, so I can’t fault them too much for going all-in, but this is an overpay. If Estevez helps Philadelphia win it all, though, everything will be forgotten. The reliever has 20 saves and a 2.38 ERA this season.

Angels Grade: A

Phillies Grade: C-

Blue Jays receive: SS Eddinson Paulino, 3B Cutter Coffey and SP Gilberto Bautista

Red Sox receive: C Danny Jansen

Toronto is receiving more quantity than quality for its catcher, but moves like this are what the Blue Jays need to be making. Paulino and Coffey are raw, but offer upside and are decent lottery tickets for an organization that needs to take some shots.

Boston is fine at catcher, mainly due to a breakout season from Connor Wong, but Jansen is proven and should help the team’s unit. It’s been a somewhat down year for the 29-year-old, though, as he’s hitting just .212 with six homers.

Blue Jays Grade: B-

Red Sox Grade: B-

Blue Jays receive: SS Josh Rivera and LF Yohendrick Pinango

Cubs receive: RP Nate Pearson

The Blue Jays should be planning for the future, and this deal helps towards that. Pearson, 27, flamed out as a former first-round pick, notching a 5.21 ERA for his career. In return, Toronto will receive Rivera and Pinango, the Cubs’ Nos. 23 and 29 prospects.

For the Cubs, this move is about getting a look at Pearson and deciding if the right-hander can be a part of the club’s bullpen moving forward. Chicago paid too much to get that look, though.

Blue Jays Grade: A-

Cubs Grade: D+