Very Early Super Bowl Contenders + Brown's Trade Value for Eagles and a Big College Basketball Portal Addition
Plus how the Spurs won by losing, unlike most NBA teams.
In Today’s Issue: A.J. Brown, Milan Momcilovic, Rafael Jodar, João Fonseca, Novak Djokovic, Alex Michelsen, Alexander Zverev, Alex De Minaur, Andrey Rublev, Tommy Paul, Casper Ruud, Iga Swiatek, Elina Svitolina, Mirra Andreeva, Belinda Bencic, Peyton Stearns, Zack Wheeler, Justin Wrobleski, and Victor Wembanyama.
WHAT TO READ
The Spurs are a win away from the NBA Finals, but the way they’ve built their roster means this is likely the start, not the end, of their championship aspirations. San Antonio spent years rebuilding, meaning getting few wins and earning top draft picks, but the franchise is unique in how it has been able to turn that formula into success. Read about why, according to ESPN, of the 100 players who were top-five picks from 2000 to 2019, 56 haven’t ever won a playoff series. (Zach Kram, ESPN)
Almost four months after the Super Bowl and just over two months away from the first preseason game, NFL.com has narrowed its way-too-early list of contenders to stop a Seahawks repeat to eight teams. One franchise that isn’t on the list is the defending AFC Champion Patriots. Read the full rundown to see why the Chiefs could be back in contention and which teams could knock out the Seahawks in the NFC. (Dan Parr, NFL.com)
The Eagles are widely reported to want to move star wide receiver A.J. Brown in June, when the salary cap implications of a trade will lessen in his complicated contract. Brown was frustrated with Philadelphia’s offense last season. He ended up with fewer receiving yards than the year before despite playing two more games (78 receptions for 1,003 yards and 7 touchdowns in 15 appearances). Read about how money can factor into a potential Brown trade and his value for the Eagles. (Joel Corry, CBS Sports)
College basketball’s transfer portal got a second wind after a number of prospects decided to sit out this year’s NBA Draft and return to college. The biggest name is Iowa State’s Milan Momcilovic, who averaged 16.9 points per game in his third season with the Cyclones. Read about which Blue Blood programs will be competing to sign the top name in what has become college free agency. (Nick Bromberg, Yahoo Sports)
One of the most sought-after seats early at the French Open this year is wherever Rafael Jodar is playing. The 19-year-old Spaniard is making his first appearance at the major and now has the third-best odds to win it. He’s been playing on smaller outer courts — his last match on Court 7 could only fit about 1,500 fans — causing major lines of fans hoping to catch a glimpse of the up-and-comer. Today he’s being featured in the tournament’s third-largest venue as he faces American Alex Michelsen in the third round. Read about why chants of “Vamos, Rafa!” could be back at Roland Garros for years to come. (D’Arcy Maine, ESPN)
WHAT TO WATCH
All Day — French Open coverage on TNT: 19-year-old João Fonseca takes on No. 3 Novak Djokovic, who now has the second-best odds to win at Roland Garros after Jannik Sinner’s shocking upset loss yesterday. Also on today’s docket: For the men, No. 2, and the new tournament favorite, Alexander Zverev, No. 8 Alex De Minaur, No. 11 Andrey Rublev, and American Tommy Paul (24) matches up against No. 15 Casper Ruud. And for the women, No. 3 Iga Swiatek, No. 7 Elina Svitolina, No. 8 Mirra Andreeva, and No. 11 Belinda Bencic will play American Peyton Stearns.
8pm — Canadiens vs. Hurricanes on TNT: Carolina can close out the series and head to the Stanley Cup Final with a home win against the Canadiens in Game 5. Montreal’s lone win in the series came in Game 1 at Carolina, which is the Hurricanes’ only loss in the postseason. (MTL +195, CAR -238)
10:10pm — Phillies vs. Dodgers on Apple TV: Both teams are heating up and have pitchers who have started the year well on the mound. Philadelphia’s Zack Wheeler is 4-0 with a 1.67 ERA and LA’s Justin Wrobleski is 6-2 with a 3.07 ERA. But Wrobleski has allowed 14 earned runs over his past three games after giving up just five in his first six starts. (PHI +100, LAD -120)
WHAT TO TRACK
The Spurs forced a Game 7 in Oklahoma City, but Kalshi gives the Thunder a 59% chance to return to the NBA Finals. While trending down, the prediction market is at 51% for a 3.5-point or more OKC win. The biggest number right now is the 62% chance the Spurs will score over 104.5 (the only time they went under that number in the series was a 103-82 win in Game 4). On FanDuel, 87% of the early spread money is with OKC, but just 52% of the bets are with the defending champs.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“I have absolutely no desire to do that right now.”
— Victor Wembanyama when asked if he thinks about how far the Spurs have come this season after the Spurs’ 118-91 win forced Game 7.
We’re taking a short break but will be back for the start of the NBA Finals on June 3rd.
See you in your inbox next Wednesday,
Abe