The Draft Day Primer

June 22, 2023

By: Carlos Alvarez

Good Morning,

It\’s draft day. The chaos is in full force after last night\’s trade winds started blowing. Kristaps Porzingis and Marcus Smart are on the move in a three-team deal. Plenty of rumors and player opt-outs make tonight all the more interesting. Get ready. Picks coming…

Letter Rip!

NBA

The Draft Day Primer

Rumors, Buzz & Trades Ahead of the 2023 NBA Draft (Tonight, 8:00 pm ET, ESPN)

Today is the day! The 2023 NBA Draft is mere hours away with the excitement buzzing around the league. The Denver Nuggets are just 10 days removed from winning their first championship, but it’s back to the drawing board for all 30 teams. We know Victor Wembanyama will be the No. 1 pick, but things get interesting after that. It\’s a night full of realized dreams and fitted caps for the newest NBA additions.

You can check out our second NBA Mock Draft from yesterday’s edition, but here’s a quick download of all the rumors, buzz, and headlines ahead of tonight’s big show, including a three-team stunner between the Celtics, Grizzlies, and Wizards.

Trade Alert

Celtics, Grizzlies & Wizards Complete 3-Team Deal

Celtics Get: Kristaps Porzingis, Two 1st-Round Picks
Grizzlies Get: Marcus Smart
Wizards Get: Tyus Jones, Danilo Gallinari, Mike Muscala, 2nd-Round Pick

Draft Picks & Rumors

Nuggets & Pacers Swap Late 1st, Early 2nd Picks

Michael Jordan to Make Hornets Pick Despite Selling Team

Jazz Exploring Trade Options Up To No. 5 Pick

Villanova’s Cam Whitmore Reportedly Falling Out of Top-5

Free Agency & Other Rumors

Blazers \’Shut Down\’ Incoming Offers for Damian Lillard

Bucks’ Khris Middleton Opts Out, Hits Free Agency

Nuggets’ Bruce Brown Opts Out, Hits Free Agency

Wizards’ Kyle Kuzma Opts Out, Hits Free Agency

ESPN: Player Comps for All 14 Projected Lottery Picks

Sporting News: The 50 Most-Hyped Draft Prospects of All-Time

USA Today: Wembanyama Seen as Generational Prospect, But How Did Similar NBA Picks Do?

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USWNT

Meet the Squad

\"\"/ — *Photo: Brad Smith / Getty Images*

U.S. Women\’s National Team Reveals Roster for 2023 FIFA World Cup

We’re officially one month away from kickoff at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, and the squad is set. U.S. Women’s National Team coach Vlatko Andonovski chose his 23 players this week, and the roster video was released Wednesday with the help of President Biden, Taylor Swift and other celebrities. Nine players are familiar names from World Cups past, but 14 newcomers will add excitement and youth to a team searching for its third straight World Cup crown. Here’s everything you need to know about the official USWNT roster heading to Australia & New Zealand in just a few weeks.

USWNT’s 2023 World Cup Roster

Forwards (6): Alex Morgan***, Megan Rapinoe***, Trinity Rodman, Sophia Smith, Alyssa Thompson, Lynn Williams
Midfielders (7): Julie Ertz**, Rose Lavelle*, Lindsey Horan*, Kristie Mewis, Savannah DeMelo, Ashley Sanchez, Andi Sullivan
Defenders (7): Crystal Dunn*, Kelley O’Hara***, Emily Sonnett*, Sofia Huerta, Naomi Girma, Alana Cook, Emily Fox,
Goalkeepers (3): Alyssa Naeher**, Aubrey Kingsbury, Casey Murphy

*Denotes previous World Cup appearances

USWNT By The Numbers

14 — Players making World Cup debut

9 — Players with previous World Cup experience

5 — Members of the last two World Cup titles

(Morgan, Rapinoe, Ertz, Naeher & O’Hara)

Injury Holes: The devastating injury to captain Becky Sauerbrunn leaves a big hole on defense. Sam Mewis is also out of the World Cup with an injury, but her sister, Kristie, gets the nod. Star forward Catarina Macario is also out with an injury.

The Veterans: Some of Andonovski’s most surprising picks were maybe the most recognizable names. Notable names like Carli Lloyd, Tobin Heath, and Christen Press aren’t in the picture, but 38-year-old Megan Rapinoe and 33-year-old Alex Morgan are the household names up top. Both Morgan and Rapinoe have nine World Cup goals apiece. Julie Ertz is also back after returning from maternity leave in April.

Young Players to Watch: A host of newcomers on defense and in the midfield will likely get playing time in the early rounds when potential blowouts are likely, but it’s the young forwards behind Morgan and Rapinoe who could prove most exciting. Trinity Rodman (21) — daughter of former NBA star Dennis Rodman — Sophia Smith (22) and Alyssa Thompson (18) are all promising future stars we’re excited to see.

One month to go! The USWNT’s first match is scheduled for July 21st against Vietnam.

WSJ: U.S. Women’s World Cup Roster Relying on Newcomers

NY Times: U.S. Women’s World Cup Roster Reflects a Team in Transition

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MLB

All-Star Ballots

\"\"/ — *Photo: Media News Group / Getty Images*

Last Day to Vote for the 2023 MLB All-Star Game (Noon ET)

It’s the last chance to vote for MLB All-Stars! The first 75 games are in the books, and we’re just two weeks away from the All-Star festivities. The first phase of MLB All-Star voting ends today (Noon ET). After the top two players at each position are announced, they’ll enter a head-to-head ballot from June 26-29 to determine the starting lineups. The final rosters and starters will be announced on Thursday, June 29 (7:00 pm ET). Here\’s where they stand before today\’s final ballots.

MLB All-Star Voting Leaders

American League

C: Adley Rutschman (Orioles)

1B: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (Blue Jays)

2B: Marcus Semien (Rangers)

3B: Matt Chapman (Blue Jays)

SS: Bo Bichette (Blue Jays)

LF: Randy Arozarena (Rays)

CF: Mike Trout (Angels)

RF: Aaron Judge (Yankees)

DH: Shohei Ohtani (Angels)

National League

C: Sean Murphy (Braves)

1B: Freddie Freeman (Dodgers)

2B: Luis Arraez (Marlins)

3B: Nolan Arenado (Cardinals)

SS: Orlando Arcia (Braves)

LF: Corbin Carroll (Diamondbacks)

CF: Ronald Acuna Jr. (Braves)

RF: Mookie Betts (Dodgers)

DH: J.D. Martinez (Dodgers)

MLB All-Star Ballot (Cast Votes)

Voting Ends Today (Noon ET)

MLB Quick-Hitters

Reds Win 11th Straight, Longest Streak Since ’57

Ohtani Ks 12 in 7 Innings, But Dodgers Shut Out Angels (2-0)

4-Run 5th Inning Lifts Giants Over Padres (4-2) for 10th Straight

Cubs Complete Sweep of Pirates (8-3), Won 8 of Last 10

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HIGHLIGHTS

College World Series

#2 Florida Tops TCU (3-2) on 9th-Inning Thriller to Reach CWS Finals

#5 LSU Beats #1 Wake Forest (5-2), Force Winner-Take-All for Finals Spot

#1 Wake Forest vs. #5 LSU (Tonight, 7:00 pm ET)

MLS

Philly’s Jose Martinez Strikes Super-Volley From 30 Yards

WNBA

Aces Improve to 11-1 With 20-Point Thrashing of Mercury (99-79)

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STORYLINES

The De-Value of Running Backs

From draft eligibility rules to rookie contracts to cold free agent markets, one position gets squeezed every step of the way. (Sports Illustrated)

Berhalter’s Back, Now What?

The U.S. Soccer search for a coach ultimately landed back on Gregg Berhalter. What will the next three years look like leading into the 2026 World Cup? (ESPN+)

2023 Wimbledon Underdogs

Novak Djokovic and Iga Swiatek are actually beatable (maybe). In that spirit, here are five dark horses who can upset the odds at Wimbledon in July. (World Tennis Mag)

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SCHEDULE

Today\’s Must-Watch List

NBA Draft

Tonight (8:00 pm ET, ESPN)

MLB
Braves at Phillies (1:05 pm ET)

Padres at Giants (3:45 pm ET)

Mariners at Yankees (7:05 pm ET)

College World Series

#1 Wake Forest vs. #5 LSU (7:00 pm ET)

*Winner to face #2 Florida in CWS Finals

LPGA Tour

Women’s LPGA Championship (Today-Sunday)

Download The Sportsletter\’s Must-Watch Calendar

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POLL

Question of the Day

How do you think Victor Wembanyama’s NBA career projection plays out? (click to vote)