NFL

Dolphins receive:
S Minkah Fitzpatrick
2027 fifth-round pick

Steelers receive:
CB Jalen Ramsey
TE Jonnu Smith
2027 seventh-round pick

Any Jalen Ramsey — long-rumored to be dealt — deal was bound to bring headlines, but this is an absolute blockbuster. A true player-for-player (plus Jonnu Smith and late-round picks) trade, this transaction changes the makeup of two hopeful AFC contenders.

Let’s start with the Dolphins. Ramsey was a lock to be off the team by start of the season, so adding a talented defender like Fitzpatrick in exchange for him is a coup. On the other hand, the 30-year-old Ramsey is still a better player — and plays a more valuable position — than Fitzpatrick. It remains to be seen if that’ll remain the case moving forward, as each player, while healthy last season, battled injuries in 2023. Those maladies could easily return in the future, especially for the older Ramsey.

The finances here benefit Miami. Ramsey is due much more — including a small, unneeded raise — than Fitzpatrick this season. That’s not a big deal for a Steelers team that’s seemingly all-in on 2025, though.

This is just the latest splashy move for Pittsburgh this offseason, but it’s probably the worst of all. Sure, Ramsey can still play at a high level, but it’s no guarantee that’ll occur. Losing Fitzpatrick is an obvious blow, and adding Smith likely won’t be enough to offset it. The Steelers also parted with a fifth-round pick while gaining a seventh-round selection for some reason.

Ramsey, along with Joey Porter Jr. and Darius Slay, gives the Steelers a strong cornerback trio. Smith and Pat Freiermuth also create a good tight-end duo for Pittsburgh, but this trade just feels like the franchise is pushing in its chips and hoping for the best.

While Pittsburgh is risking it all, Miami is stabilizing itself; adding a proven commodity and draft capital. Will it help the Dolphins escape mediocrity? Probably not, but it’s easier to believe in Miami post-2025 than it is the Steelers. Pittsburgh needs to win big this season.

Dolphins’ Grade: B+

Steelers’ Grade: C

NBA

Nets receive:
SF Michael Porter
2032 unprotected first-round pick

Nuggets receive:
SF Cameron Johnson

Free agency began in earnest yesterday at 6:00 p.m., and it says a fair amount of the landscape of the NBA that this was the biggest transaction. Sure, it’s a swap of two talented and youngish forwards, but I miss the days of big-ticket free agent signings. No, Dorian Finney-Smith doesn’t count.

Johnson, a prime asset for the Nets, had been lurking on the trade market for the Nets, and maybe there’s a reason for that. It’s somewhat surprising this was all Brooklyn could fetch for the sharpshooter. Porter, 27, is skilled and still intriguing, but he, along with a draft selection seven years out, isn’t an incredibly enticing return for the rebuilding Nets.

Maybe there’s more to unlock with Porter, but in playing with the best player in the world — and the attention away from him — he was still a liability at times. The good news for the forward is that he should improve upon the 18.2 points per game he posted last year.

I love this for the Nuggets, however. The unprotected 2032 first rounder may become juicy as the years pass and Nikola Jokic ages, but Denver needs to capitalize on the superstar’s prime. A frontcourt trio of Johnson, Aaron Gordon, and Jokic is elite, and should propel the Nuggets back near the top of the West. To make matters even better, Johnson is nearly $20 million cheaper per season over the next two years than Porter.

I have no idea what the Nets are doing this offseason, and if they had a chance for a do-over of the past week, they probably would accept the offer. It’s hard to fully understand a franchise’s vision, though, so perhaps this works out for Sean Marks & Co. I doubt it.

Nets’ Grade: D+

Nuggets’ Grade: A-

Grizzlies sign PF Jaren Jackson Jr. to five-year, $240 million contract extension

This deal is more of a renegotiation than an extension, as it adds four additional years to Jackson Jr.’s 2025-26 salary. It also includes a player option for the final season.

Recent maximum contracts — particularly super-max deals — have gotten out of control, but I don’t mind this one for Memphis. The 25-year-old has his flaws, mostly as a rebounder, but he’s one of the league’s top defenders and has become a strong offensive player. Averaging 22.2 points and 1.5 blocks per game last season, Jackson Jr. should be a crucial piece for the Grizzlies for the rest of the decade.

Grade: B+

Nets sign C Day’Ron Sharpe to two-year, $12 million contract

Brooklyn non-tendered Sharpe on Sunday, but that was procedural to allow for this deal.

If nothing else, the 23-year-old is a menace on the offensive glass, grabbing 2.6 offensive rebounds in just 14.5 minutes per game over his four-year career. There’s still time for Sharpe to improve his shooting and rim protection, but even if he doesn’t, this isn’t an awful contract or anything.

Grade: B-

Nets sign SF Ziaire Williams to two-year, $12 million contract

The second season of this deal is a team option.

The Nets, flush with cap room, appear to be focusing on adding a quantity of young players to the roster. The 23-year-old Williams, along with Day’Ron Sharpe and five first-round picks, create a bottom-heavy team that is well equipped to tank for an elite talent in the loaded 2026 draft.

There is some understated risk in using cap space to sign players like Williams, however. For one, Brooklyn could’ve traded for an undesirable contract and obtained draft capital. Instead, the franchise is prioritizing the development of youth already on the roster, which is a perfectly reasonable decision.

Williams is entering his fifth season in the NBA, and frankly, hasn’t made enough strides over that period. Thus, the Nets’ ability to abandon the contract after one year might be useful, assuming the 2021 No. 10 overall pick flounders again.

Williams averaged 10.0 points and 4.6 rebounds per game over 63 contests last season.

Grade: C+

Clippers sign PF Nicolas Batum to two-year, $11.5 million contract

This contract contains a team option, which makes it more than palatable. Batum, 37, isn’t a good defender anymore, but he’s still capable and, more importantly, versatile on that end. His calling card now is his floor spacing, as the forward shot 43.3 percent from deep this season.

The Clippers appear to be running it back with an older team, but that didn’t stop LA from winning 50 games in 2025. It’s fair to assume that Batum has at least one year remaining of rotation-caliber play.

Grade: B

Timberwolves sign SF Joe Ingles to one-year, $3.6 million contract

This pact is for the veteran minimum, so it’s hard to criticize it. At worst, Minnesota is sacrificing a roster spot for the 37-year-old Ingles. At best, the Timberwolves add a proven leader and positive locker-room influence. Either way, Ingles’ play fell off a cliff this season, as he posted a true shooting percentage of just 32.6 and can no longer defend at an acceptable level. That’s meaningless, though, because Ingles won’t be playing any important minutes for Minnesota next year.

Grade: B