Good Morning, I’m Vincent Frank. The Oakland Athletics are headed to Las Vegas. Let’s just hope it goes better than the first practice session for this week’s Formula 1 race on the Strip. Ouch!

In Today’s Sportsnaut First

Daily Trivia: Who was the first Phoenix Suns player inducted into the Hall of Fame?

Suggesting one key move — signing, trade, extension — for each American League team this offseason

Teams are looking to unseat the defending World Series champion Texas Rangers in the American League.

This offseason will be key for other contenders as they hit the free agent and trade markets for upgrades.

Should the New York Yankees sign Japanese sensation Yoshinobu Yamamoto? Perhaps, the Boston Red Sox sign Aaron Nola?

The division-rival Seattle Mariners might put all of their chips in on Shohei Ohtani, too.

The Best of Sportsnaut

Nov 10, 2023; Dallas, Texas, USA; LA Clippers guard James Harden (1) and LA Clippers forward Paul George (13) react against during the second half against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Will the Los Angeles Clippers ever find success with James Harden?

The Los Angeles Clippers finally showed strong team chemistry. Then, James Harden arrived.

The Clippers (3-7) enter Friday’s in-season tournament game against the Houston Rockets (6-3) with a six-game losing streak. They have lost all five of their games since Harden joined the group.

Head coach Tyronn Lue had preached team chemistry and the importance of the regular season during training camp. That happened before Los Angeles pulled off the blockbuster for Harden.

Can this team possibly turn it around with Harden in the mix? Things are not looking great right now.

The Daily News

Baseball United targeting international dominance and ‘baseball diplomacy’ in the Middle East

While the goal for Baseball United CEO Kash Shaikh is to make his new business venture the No. 1 international baseball league, he also is hoping to use America’s favorite pastime as a tool of diplomacy in the Middle East and South Asia.

“We did a lot of market research [over the last two years], met people face-to-face, and we found out there are a ton more baseball fans in this region than we ever imagined,” Shaikh told Sportsnaut.

Their “United East vs. United West All-Star showcases” — which will feature former MLB stars like Bartolo Colon, Robinson Cano, and Didi Gregorius — will be the league’s first proofs of concept and will take place inside the 25,000-seat Dubai International Stadium in the UAE.

Those recognized names and faces will be important in spreading the brand, but also to promote a very American sport in the Middle East. Where tensions are high and interest in Americana could continue to dip due to the United States’ support of Israel’s military actions in the Gaza Strip.

Today’s Must-Watch Games

CFB: South Florida at UTSA, 9:00 PM (ET), ESPN2
CFB: Colorado at Washington State, 10:30 PM (ET), FS1
NBA: Kings at Spurs, 7:30 PM (ET), ESPN
NBA: Suns at Jazz, 10:00 PM (ET), ESPN
NHL: Maple Leafs at Red Wings, 2:00 PM (ET), NHL Network
NHL: Sabres at Jets, 8:00 PM (ET), NHL Network
CBB: Bucknell at Duke, 6:00 PM (ET), ACCN
CBB: Butler at Michigan State, 6:30 PM (ET), FS1
CBB: Maryland at Villanova, 8:30 PM (ET), FS1
CBB: Washington at Xavier, 11:59 PM (ET), ESPN2

Daily Trivia: Connie “the Hawk” Hawkins spent four seasons with the Suns (1969-1973) and was an All-Star each of those seasons. Despite being unable to play in the NBA when he was in his prime (due to accusations of point-shaving), Hawkins’ performances throughout the ABL, ABA and NBA helped get him get inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1992. (SOURCE: Usefultrivia.com).