TL;DR

Bucks waive Lillard, sign Turner; Thunder extend Gilgeous-Alexander; NCAA starts direct athlete payments.

Highlights

• Bucks waive Damian Lillard (Achilles, likely out 2025-26), stretch $113M contract, and sign Myles Turner (4/$107M) to reinforce around Giannis 1.
• Thunder extend NBA/Finals MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for four years, $285M—the highest annual salary in NBA history 3.
• Nuggets overhaul roster: trade Michael Porter Jr. for Cam Johnson, add Bruce Brown, Tim Hardaway Jr., and Jonas Valanciunas; title odds move to +800 13.
• Grizzlies’ Jaren Jackson Jr. (recent $240M extension) to undergo foot surgery; return timeline unknown 6.
• NCAA launches direct athlete payments at 82% of Division I schools; up to $20.5M per school annually, with new oversight and ongoing Title IX/legal scrutiny 2.
• Miami Dolphins acquire un-retired TE Darren Waller from Giants for a 2026 sixth-round pick; Waller signs for up to $5M 4.
• Astros pause Yordan Alvarez’s rehab after hand pain returns; surgery possible, impacting fantasy and betting outlook 7.
• Wimbledon: 23 seeds (13 men, 10 women) out in first round, including No. 2 Gauff (lost to Yastremska) and No. 3 Zverev; Djokovic, Krejcikova advance 20.
• WNBA adds expansion teams in Cleveland (2028), Detroit (2029), Philadelphia (2030); league targets 18 clubs by 2030 11.
• Indiana Fever win first WNBA Commissioner’s Cup, beating Lynx 74-59 without injured Caitlin Clark 12.
• Juventus agree free transfer for striker Jonathan David; Arsenal near €80M deal for Sporting’s Viktor Gyökeres 1617.
• Carolina Hurricanes acquire K’Andre Miller (8 years, $60M) from Rangers in sign-and-trade for picks and Scott Morrow 15.

Commentary

NBA roster moves are driving major shifts in both fantasy and futures markets. Milwaukee’s decision to waive Damian Lillard and stretch his $113M contract creates long-term cap implications but enabled the addition of Myles Turner, who should immediately impact defensive and three-point metrics 1. Oklahoma City’s record extension for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander locks in elite production for fantasy and props 3, while Denver’s active free agency—swapping Michael Porter Jr. for Cam Johnson, plus adding Bruce Brown, Tim Hardaway Jr., and Jonas Valanciunas—has already shortened their title odds and diversified their rotation 13. Memphis faces uncertainty with Jaren Jackson Jr.'s foot surgery; monitor updates for impact on win totals and fantasy drafts 6.

The NCAA’s rollout of direct athlete payments (up to $20.5M per school) marks a structural shift for college sports, with new oversight and legal risk 2. This will affect recruiting, roster stability, and potentially game lines as player movement accelerates. Title IX and revenue cap challenges are unresolved, so compliance and roster allocation news will be key for those tracking college futures and DFS value.

In the NFL, Miami’s trade for Darren Waller is a low-risk move with upside if he stays healthy and regains form, especially given his familiarity with OC Frank Smith 4. In MLB, Yordan Alvarez’s setback is a blow for fantasy owners and Astros backers; surgery would extend his absence, but Houston’s trade approach remains unchanged for now 7.

Wimbledon’s first round saw a record 23 seeds eliminated, including Coco Gauff and Alexander Zverev, reshaping outright and match markets 20. The WNBA continues its expansion push, with three new teams announced 11 and Indiana Fever capturing their first Commissioner’s Cup despite Caitlin Clark’s injury absence 12. In soccer, Juventus and Arsenal are making significant moves to bolster their attacks, which could affect league and Champions League odds 1617.