The secret wrinkle to this year’s WNBA Draft, plus NBA firings
Good morning! Don’t drop a trophy today.
Draft Days: The unique nexus of last night’s WNBA Draft
As expected, Paige Bueckers went No. 1 in last night’s WNBA Draft to the Dallas Wings. The bona fide superstar in this class, Bueckers has been destined for this since this time last year, if not longer. She earned the honor just over a week after winning a national title.
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But this year’s draft was also a harbinger of a new women’s hoops era. A big layer here:
As Sabreena Merchant highlighted, the current WNBA collective bargaining agreement is woefully out-of-date thanks to the sport’s popularity bump. See: Bueckers signing with Unrivaled to make more money for 10 weeks of service than she will make over the entire life of her first WNBA contract. Thus, college stars like Notre Dame’s Olivia Miles chose to stay in college for another year, make beaucoup NIL dollars and enter the league when the new CBA kicks in next year. It’s just good business for now.
This means Bueckers, who had run out of eligibility, feels like the only big guarantee here. Not that the rest of the picks — which you can see here — aren’t major talents. The draft just isn’t as deep because of the time and place. Bueckers is now leading a new generation of young talent that will come into the league behind her.
Let’s back up for one second, because there is one more pick we need to talk about:
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With the No. 2 pick, the Seattle Storm selected Dominique Malonga, who is a fascinating prospect. At 6-foot-6, the 19-year-old hails from France and has drawn comparisons to Victor Wembanyama. Her talent, though raw, is comparable to Bueckers’. Mike Vorkunov has a great story about her, all the way from Paris, which is worth a read.
More on the most interesting picks? Watch No Offseason break it down. Preseason games start in a little over two weeks. I like how quickly the W moves. Let’s take a cue and move on:
News to Know
Suns flame another coach
Mike Budenholzer is out in Phoenix, sources told The Athletic yesterday, ending a disastrous first year for the coach. The Suns, carrying the NBA’s most expensive roster, failed to make the playoffs and, if you read the tea leaves correctly, spurred the franchise to begin a full teardown this offseason. Plenty of news has overshadowed this season in the NBA, but not much outside the Luka Dončić trade will have more impact. Woof.
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It wasn’t the only firing of the day, either, as the Pelicans jettisoned executive vice president David Griffin. Joe Dumars could replace him, too.
Sanders to work out for Giants
Intrigue or smokescreen? Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders will take part in a private workout for the Giants, who hold the No. 3 pick in next week’s NFL Draft and need a signal caller. Sanders is the No. 2 QB in the class, but is projected by some to be as low as a second-round prospect. Also: He and Travis Hunter will have their numbers retired by Colorado.
More news
Speaking of Dončić, he became the first international player to lead jersey sales in the NBA.
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Aaron Judge will play for the U.S. in the 2026 World Baseball Classic. All for it.
Lawyers for the family of former Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs allege the team is funding legal costs for the former employee convicted in Skaggs’ 2019 overdose death.
A coroner ruled the death of former Colts DB Vontae Davis undetermined. More details here.
Raiders star Maxx Crosby is the latest to join his alma mater — Eastern Michigan, in this case — in a general manager role.
Patrick Peterson announced his retirement this week. The Arizona Cardinals and LSU legend played an outsized role in my fandom, and this news makes me feel ancient.
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Curiosities: The GOAT wants his girlfriend CC’d
There are few images more jarring to our reality than seeing Bill Belichick, the greatest NFL coach who ever lived, decked out in Carolina blue. The fact he is in college football at all still feels off, though the man seems quite happy doing it.
Also, maybe you’ve seen that the 72-year-old Belichick is dating 24-year-old Jordon Hudson, who has a background in social media. According to emails obtained by The Athletic, Belichick wants Hudson involved in UNC affairs.
Quickly:
Hudson, who does not have any employment ties at North Carolina, has been copied on dozens of emails regarding Belichick’s image and branding. While most are mundane, Hudson has voiced her opinion, specifically regarding how Bill’s son Steve, the Tar Heels’ defensive coordinator, was portrayed.
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You can read those emails here. Almost done:
What to Watch
📺 NHL: Panthers at Lightning
7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN
These are two of the best teams in the NHL, and both are favorites to win the Stanley Cup, per our odds.
📺 NBA: Grizzlies at Warriors
10 p.m. ET on TNT
This is the best Play-In game of the night by far. Both of these teams could be a real tough out come actual playoff time, particularly Golden State. The Hawks and Magic play at 7:30 p.m. ET on TNT, too, if you want a full hoops night.
Get tickets to games like these here.
Pulse Picks
Ken Rosenthal listed nine MLB managers whose jobs could be in peril by the end of the season. A lot of pressure cookers in there.
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You know who didn’t like Rory McIlroy’s win at the Masters? Sportsbooks.
Murat Ates detailed how the Winnipeg Jets built the NHL’s best team.
Seth Emerson has four ideas to help college football avoid another Nico Iamaleava mess in the future, and it sure sounds like something that rhymes with shmollective shmargaining.
A must-read file: John Hollinger’s picks for NBA awards, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leading as MVP. No one better at this than John.
Dan Campbell may be the modern-day version of Aristotle, as Rustin Dodd explained today. A very exciting official debut for our new leadership and personal growth vertical, Peak, which you can follow here.
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Most-clicked in the newsletter yesterday: Brody Miller’s story on Rory’s win. What a day.
Most-read on the website yesterday: WNBA Draft live blog. Nice.
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This article originally appeared in The Athletic.
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