Even though free agency opened at 7 p.m. EDT last night, many of the most shocking and important deals came today.

The Bucks waived Damian Lillard to sign Myles Turner. The NBA Champions gave the MVP a four-year extension. The Nuggets added Cam Johnson and Jonas Valančiũnas.

With so many deals being reported and more to come over the next few hours, let’s give out grades to the biggest moves that have been made so far.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander agrees to a four-year, $285 million contract extension.

Source: Shams Charania

There’s no way this move can be viewed as anything other than an A+. The team that just won the championship was able to retain its best player through the end of the 2030-2031 season. It was an obvious move that was going to be made by OKC.

The contract makes SGA the highest-paid player in NBA history from a yearly standpoint. While an average annual value of $71.25 million might seem like an overpay to some, we have to remember that Gilgeous-Alexander is still improving and has only begun to scratch the surface of his full potential.

And who knows. With the way the CBA is being negotiated and the structure of contracts constantly changing, there’s a chance this could be looked at as a good value in a few years.

Grade: A+

Bucks waive Damian Lillard to sign Myles Turner to a four-year, $107 million contract

Source: Shams Charania

This is without a doubt the most shocking move of free agency so far. Myles Turner felt like a Pacer for life. But in the business of professional basketball, money is the ultimate trump card.

Some media members are saying that Giannis Antetokounmpo is unhappy with the move to waive Dame, but I️ don’t believe that for a second. After all, these are the same talking heads who said Giannis was going to request a trade out of Milwaukee, and that still hasn’t happened.

This move allows the Bucks to get younger and more talented at the center position. It also sets up Milwaukee to have arguably the best frontcourt in the NBA with Bobby Portis, Giannis, and Turner.

It sucks to lose Damian Lillard, but he was probably not going to play at all during the 2025-26 season. By restructuring his deal, the Bucks were able to sign Turner. I️ love Dame, but he’s a soon-to-be 35-year-old point guard with a bad Achilles. I’m sorry, but he can’t be relied on to be available for the playoffs. It’s a hard pill to swallow, but it’s the right decision nonetheless because it allows the Bucks to be competitive now while Giannis is still committed to Milwaukee.

Grade: C+

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

Source: Shams Charania

I️ guess this is what the Grizzlies have to do, right? Jaren Jackson Jr. is an up-and-coming star. Plus, he’s the second-best player on a Memphis Grizzlies team that made the playoffs despite firing their coach midway through the season. If that’s the case, then why does this feel like a gross overpay?

Starting in 2026, JJJ will be making roughly $48 million annually. Here are some of the players he will be paid more than during the 2026-27 season: Domantas Sabonis, James Harden, Zion Williamson, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, LaMelo Ball, Tyrese Maxey, Ja Morant, Brandon Ingram, and Jalen Brunson. Jaren Jackson Jr. isn’t better than any of the players I️ just listed.

Giving JJJ the benefit of the doubt, he is one of the five best defensive players in the NBA currently, maybe even top three. But his efforts didn’t lead to any team-wide success because the Grizzlies were tied for 24th in scoring defense last season.

Teams don’t give out contracts for what players have done. They give out contracts for what players are going to do. Unless Jaren Jackson Jr. is going to become a better basketball player than Shai Gilgeous-Alexander or Jalen Brunson in the next two years, then this will simply be looked at as Memphis overpaying a good player to keep its core together.

Grade: C

Jakob Poeltl re-signs with the Raptors for four years and $104 million

Source: Shams Charania

You want to talk about overpaying a player? Holy crap. Poeltl’s agents just fleeced the Raptors.

The free agent market for centers was already thin, but there were still some decent options out there. Deandre Ayton is still available, as well as Mo Wagner and Al Horford. The Raptors didn’t have to settle for Poeltl.

Toronto could’ve even signed a power forward and moved him to the five spot. I’m supposed to believe that a 29-year-old Jakob Poeltl has a brighter future than a 23-year-old Ziaire Williams? I’m not buying it.

This signing reeks of desperation from a Raptors squad that wasn’t even going to be all that competitive next year to begin with.

Grade: D

Nuggets trade Michael Porter Jr. and a 2032 first-rounder for Cam Johnson

Source: Shams Charania

This is an interesting trade because I️ think both organizations benefit from this deal. Brooklyn gets a first-round draft pick and a player who is basically a younger version of Cam Johnson with better rebounding skills. At the same time, the Nuggets save roughly $17 million against the cap without having to sacrifice much scoring.

This was most likely a financially motivated move. Michael Porter Jr. carried a cap hit of $38.3 million next season. By offloading that contract and adding Johnson (who averaged 0.6 more points per game last season), the Nuggets were given the financial flexibility to make other moves, like trading for Jonas Valančiũnas.

Grade: B+

Nuggets trade Dario Šarić for Jonas Valančiũnas

Source: NBA.com

This is a slam dunk deal for the Nuggets. Dario Šarić may be younger and cheaper than Jonas Valančiũnas, but Valančiũnas is a much better player.

In almost every measurable category, Valančiũnas was better than Šarić last season. Valančiũnas has the advantage in points per game, rebounds per game, assists per game, blocks per game, steals per game, and field goal percentage. Also, Valančiũnas’ defensive capabilities will be incredibly valuable to the Nuggets, with a defensive rating 10.1 points higher than Šarić’s.

When Nikola Jokić wasn’t on the floor, the Nuggets were one of the worst teams in the NBA. With the addition of Jonas Valančiũnas, that probably won’t be the case next season.

Grade: A

Mavericks sign D’Angelo Russell for two years and $13 million

Source: ESPN.com

This signing makes a ton of sense for the Mavs. Russell may not be the player he once was, but he still knows how to run an offense effectively and can put up points.

With Kyrie Irving’s status for the 2025-26 season unclear, Dallas needed to bring in another point guard to bring the ball up every possession. Though it would’ve been nice to get somebody who is a more prolific scorer, Russell will be able to get the ball to Cooper Flagg and Anthony Davis effectively on a night-in, night-out basis. Hell, the starting lineup of Russell-Thompson-Flagg-Davis-Likely might be good enough to earn this team a spot in the playoffs.

When Kyrie Irving does eventually return, their backup point guard will have starter potential. He could be used as trade bait, or he can remain with the team and let Kyrie ease his way back into the starting rotation.

Grade: A-

Brook Lopez agrees to two-year, $18 million deal with the Clippers

Source: Shams Charania

The Clippers were already set at the center spot with Ivica Zubac, who was a finalist for the NBA’s Most Improved Player Award. They needed a backup, though, and Brook Lopez fills that role nicely.

Lopez was exposed as a defensive liability in Milwaukee because he had no other choice but to be a starter. Coming off the bench, though, Brook Lopez can be a very valuable asset to LA.

He is good for a few rebounds and averaged 13 points per game last season while connecting on almost 51% of his field goals. At 37 years old, Brook Lopez is best in short bursts, which is probably how he’ll be utilized in Los Angeles.

If the Clippers are expecting to evenly split starting minutes between Lopez and Zubac, this move won’t work out. But if Lopez is only asked to play ten to 15 minutes a night, then this is a home run.

Grade: B+

Dennis Schröder and the Kings agree to a three-year, $45 million deal: C-

Source: ESPN.com

The Kings already have a plethora of guards on their roster. Malik Monk and Zach LaVine are the clear starters. Beyond that, they also have Keon Ellis, Nique Clifford, and Markelle Fultz. Even DeMar DeRozan can sometimes be the team’s primary ball-handler.

My problem isn’t with Dennis Schröder. He’s a reliable backup point guard who can get you ten points and five assists almost every night. My issue is with the value of this contract. D’Angelo Russell, who is much better in my opinion, was just signed for two years and $13 million ($7.5 million per year). But Schröder will earn $15 million per year on his contract, and he’s not even the starting point guard!

There had to have been other point guard options out there for Sacramento. Even if they were absolutely in love with Schröder, the Kings couldn’t have gotten him for $10 million per year? I’m just not a fan of paying a backup point guard $15 million annually when there are plenty of other guys on the team who can bring the ball up the court.

Grade: C-