Celtics Notes: Jaylen Brown Injury Update, 76ers Missing 3 Players, Anfernee Simons Trade Prediction
After quite a long offseason, the Boston Celtics will finally play regular season basketball today. There is still a question as to whether or not Jaylen Brown will be participating, however, as the Celtics recently listed him as questionable on the injury report.
While Brown's status is still up in the air, Boston's opponent on Wednesday night — the Philadelphia 76ers — won't be at full strength. There are three key players on the 76ers roster who will not be available, but in a stark difference from last season, 2023 NBA MVP Joel Embiid will be active.
Finally, the Celtics have a trade prediction regarding Anfernee Simons. A team insider doesn't think Simons will end his 2025-26 season in Boston, and detailed how the potential deal can get the Celtics under the luxury tax completely.
Red Sox predicted to trade for $75 million three-time All-Star as Dustin May upgrade
The Boston Red Sox have finally locked themselves into a playoff appearance for the first time since 2021, after four years of mediocrity. However, they still need to upgrade their team this offseason, as it was a close finish this year.
Fansided’s Robert Murray believes that the Sox could trade for a replacement for Dustin May at the back end of the rotation: St. Louis Cardinals ace Sonny Gray.
“The Red Sox reaped the reward of acquiring Garrett Crochet last trade deadline. They were optimistic that Walker Buehler would be a strong complement to him in the rotation, but that didn’t work out. Insert Gray, who has been a very productive starter across 13 seasons in the majors, posting a 3.58 ERA and 1925 strikeouts,” Murray wrote.
Gray is a veteran starter just like Buehler, but unlike Buehler, he hasn’t faced any major injuries that affected his pitching. This season, Gray has put up a record of 14-8, an ERA of 4.58, 201 strikeouts, and a WHIP of 1.234 in 180 innings pitched.
Gray wins, and he gets strikeouts. He did have a higher ERA than usual this season, but if he can work with Sox pitching coach Andrew Bailey, he could get a full revival like Lucas Giolito.
The only thing stopping this from happening is Gray’s no-trade clause. However, Gray has admitted to reporters he’s willing to waive it in order to go to a contender. Hopefully that happens, and the Sox are able to lock down their rotation for the next couple years.
