NFL

Dolphins receive:
TE Darren Waller
2027 seventh-round pick

Giants receive:
2026 sixth-round pick

This reeks of desperation. Just one day after mysteriously shipping Jonnu Smith to Pittsburgh, the Dolphins fill — I guess? — their need at tight end.

Following an up-and-down 2023 campaign, Waller retired. It felt a little early for the tight end to hang up his cleats, but after three consecutive seasons that were significantly worse than his peak, the end arrived. Now 32, Waller is back.

The cost for the Dolphins is a one-year, $5 million contract and a swap of late-round picks. That’s not nothing, but it’s also a minimal risk for the club. The days of Waller being a top-five tight end are long gone, but he did post 52 receptions for 552 yards in 2023. Tua Tagovailoa likes shortening the field, so it’s possible that Waller emerges as a prime target for him.

This was still an odd direction for Miami to turn. In reality, however, maybe it’s what should be expected. Chris Grier’s moves while running the team haven’t always made sense, and that’s surely why the Dolphins are where they are today. The Giants just so happened to (lightly) take advantage of it.

Dolphins’ Grade: C

Giants’ Grade: A

NBA

Bucks sign C Myles Turner to four-year, $107 million contract

Oh? This is a stunning move on multiple levels. Just over a week ago, we were watching Turner, a lifelong Pacer, suit up in the Finals for Indiana. The 29-year-old played below expectation in that series, but it still felt inevitable that he would continue his career with the Pacers.

Not so fast. Due to an aversion to paying the luxury tax, Indiana failed to submit a competitive offer to Turner, allowing Milwaukee to swoop in. The Bucks signing Turner obviously helps the team immensely, as the center will step right in for the departed Brook Lopez.

How exactly the Bucks signed Turner was a question mark for about 10 minutes yesterday. Entering the day with zero cap room, acquiring Turner at this rate would’ve only been possible via a sign-and-trade. That was the expected method, but then … another shoe dropped. The Bucks are waiving Damian Lillard to create space for this transaction, stretching the 34-year-old’s $112.6 million owed over the next five seasons.

That’s a ton to unpack, but essentially the Bucks are taking a bite out of their future flexibility to win now around Giannis Antetokounmpo. I completely get it, too. The 30-year-old is still near his apex, and Turner theoretically is an awesome fit next to him. I did not expect Lillard to be the price to pay, but the point guard will almost certainly miss this season anyway. Milwaukee significantly improved its short-term prospects with this transaction.

Grade: C+

Thunder sign PG Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to four-year, $285 million contract extension

Gilgeous-Alexander could’ve waited until next summer to sign an even bigger five-year extension, so this is a victory for the Thunder in securing the superstar sooner and at a cheaper rate. There’s not much to cover here. The 26-year-old is one of the three best players on the planet and he’ll be compensated as such. If maximum contracts didn’t exist, Gilgeous-Alexander would likely be signing for even more money. Another win for Oklahoma City.

Grade: A+

Kings sign PG Dennis Schroder to three-year, $45 million contract

I rarely understand what the Kings are doing. Schroder is good backup point guard, but at his size and age (31), the three-year outlook isn’t great. That’s before we even get to his place on Sacramento. Keon Ellis will probably start at the one, but Schroder’s guaranteed spot in the rotation will likely usurp minutes from Devin Carter. That’s less than ideal, but these are the Kings, the same franchise that has made the playoffs once since 2006.

Grade: C-

Bucks receive:
PG Vasilije Micic

Hornets receive:
SG Pat Connaughton
2031 second-round pick
2032 second-round pick

Yesterday was a busy day for the Bucks. Milwaukee had been looking to get off the final season of Connaughton’s deal for a while, and finally found a taker in Charlotte. It’s not bad business for the Hornets, as the rebuilding franchise adds two second rounders for their efforts.

The players in this deal are less important than the money, as neither would positively impact a playoff series.

Bucks’ Grade: D+

Hornets’ Grade: A-

Kings receive:
PF Dario Saric

Nuggets receive:
C Jonas Valanciunas

This trade is half about the players and half about money. Valanciunas is certainly a better player than Saric, but he’s owed double what Saric is due this season. That’s apparently no issue for the Nuggets, who are taking on the center.

Denver has struggled to find a viable backup for Nikola Jokic for years, shuffling DeAndre Jordan, Zeke Nnaji, and Saric, among others, in and out of the role. Now, the Nuggets roster Valanciunas and a healthy DaRon Holmes behind the best player in the world. Not bad.

The Kings are simply executing this deal to save money. Nothing more, nothing less. Saric, 31, has nothing more to offer in the NBA; he’ll be heading back to Europe to play soon.

Nuggets’ Grade: B+

Kings’ Grade: D+

Knicks sign PF Guerschon Yabusele to two-year, $12 million contract

Drafted No. 16 overall by the Celtics in 2016, Yabusele was lost his first two seasons in the NBA. In fact, the struggles left the power forward with no choice but to head overseas. Yabusele went on to spend five seasons abroad, gaining experience and clearly improving his game. Given another shot last year, the 29-year-old was a bright spot on a supremely disappointing 76ers team.

Entering free agency, Yabusele was subsequently in high demand, but the Knicks’ offer and lack of depth appealed to him. Yabusele has yet to contribute on a good team, so there’s some unknown here. That’s a known risk with signing free agents, however. Yabusele’s effectiveness last year — 11.0 points per game and 5.6 rebounds per game — should boost his confidence with the Knicks.

Grade: C+

Raptors sign PF Sandro Mamukelashvili to two-year, $5.5 million contract

This is a fine low-risk swing by the Raptors. Mamukelashvili, 26, has shown steady improvement over the course of his career, particularly last season, when he increased his three-point percentage to 37.3. It’s hard to envision the big developing into a solid starter at this stage, but should see rotational minutes for Toronto.

Grade: B