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Stevens addresses Holiday and Porzingis trades in statement

Stevens addresses Holiday and Porzingis trades in statement originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

On Monday, the Boston Celtics officially bid farewell to 2024 NBA champions Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis.

Holiday was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for Anfernee Simons. Initial reports had Boston also acquiring two second-round draft picks in the deal, but according to The Oregonian’s Aaron Fentress, the Blazers removed the picks from the trade after going over Holiday’s medical records.

The Celtics sent Porzingis and a 2026 second-rounder to the Atlanta Hawks for Georges Niang and a 2031 second-rounder. Boston made the franchise-altering moves as part of its effort to get under the second apron of the luxury tax.

As part of Monday’s announcement, Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens released a statement on Holiday and Porzingis’ impact since joining the team in 2023.

“We are so thankful for KP and Jrue and the time we had together in Boston,” Stevens said. “They were great Celtics whose impact on our organization went well beyond the court. They were integral parts of two great teams, including one which brought us all a new banner. Their impact on this organization will last a long time, and we look forward to celebrating them when they return to the Garden this season.”

In his debut season with Boston, Holiday earned his sixth career All-Defensive nod while helping the C’s bring Banner 18 to TD Garden. The two-time NBA champion averaged 11.8 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.1 steals per game over two seasons with the Celtics.

Porzingis battled injuries throughout his two-year Celtics tenure, but he played a critical role in the team’s success. “The Unicorn” averaged 19.8 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks per game in Boston, and he set the tone in the 2024 NBA Finals with a sensational Game 1 performance against the Dallas Mavericks.

Stevens also shared a brief statement on the Celtics’ acquisitions, Simons and Niang.

“Anfernee is a really good young player who has continuously improved in his seven years in the NBA,” Stevens said. “Georges is no stranger to Boston and has continuously been a winning player over the course of his career. We are excited to add both of them to the team,” said Stevens.

Simons averaged 19.3 points per game in 70 games for the Blazers last season and has shot 38.1 percent from beyond the 3-point arc for his career. Niang, a Massachusetts native, averaged 9.9 points and 3.4 rebounds per game last season with the Hawks and Cleveland Cavaliers.

With the Celtics still slightly above the second apron, more moves are likely to be made this summer. Simons and Niang are not locks to be on the 2025-26 roster with $27.7 million and $8.2 million salaries, respectively.

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Clippers trade Norman Powell to Miami Heat as part of three-team deal, net John Collins

Los Angeles Clippers guard Norman Powell shoots a three point shot.
Clippers guard Norman Powell averaged a career-high 21.8 points per game last season, second-best on the team. (David Dermer / Associated Press)

The Clippers have traded guard Norman Powell to the Miami Heat and have acquired forward John Collins from the Utah Jazz in a three-team, multiplayer deal that also includes a draft pick, according to people with knowledge of the situation not authorized to speak on the matter.

The Clippers will send a 2027 second-round pick to the Jazz and the Heat will send Kyle Anderson and Kevin Love to the Jazz as part of the deal.

In Collins, the Clippers get some much-needed size for the frontcourt and youth.

Though Collins, 27, played just 40 games last season for the Jazz, including 31 starts, he averaged 19.0 points and 8.2 rebounds.

Read more:Clippers agree to two-year deal with Brook Lopez

A 6-foot-9, 226-pound power forward, Collins improved his outside shooting, making a career-best 39.9% of his three-pointers last season despite dealing with back and ankle injuries.

Over the course of his eight-year career, Collins has averaged 16.0 points, 8.1 rebounds and shot 54.6% from the field, 36.3% from three-point range and 79.2% from the free-throw line, including a career-best 84.8% last season.

Collins opted into his player option that pays him $26.5 million next season, his last year of that deal.

Powell, 32, was one of the Clippers' top performers last season, averaging a career-high 21.8 points per game, second-best on the team. He was in the final year of a contract that was to pay him $20.4 million next season and was seeking an extension.

Get the best, most interesting and strangest stories of the day from the L.A. sports scene and beyond from our newsletter The Sports Report.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

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Blues Sign Three Players To One-Year, Two-Way Contracts

The St. Louis Blues have signed (from left to right) forward Matt Luff, defenseman Hunter Skinner and goalie Vadim Zherenko each to a one-year, two-way contract on Monday. (St. Louis Blues photo)

ST. LOUIS -- Three St. Louis Blues prospects that were restricted free agents are restricted no more.

The team announced on Monday they have signed forward Matt Luff ($775,000 NHL/$400,000 AHL), defenseman Hunter Skinner ($775,000 NHL/$125,000 AHL), and goaltender Vadim Zherenko ($775,000 NHL/$125,000 AHL) each to a one-year, two-way contract.

The interesting one was the 28-year-old Luff, who was on an AHL contract last season but put up terrific numbers with Springfield last season (45 points; 18 goals, 27 assists in 50 games) after being loaned from Charlotte but now gets a contract with the NHL organization. Luff last played in the NHL for the Detroit Red Wings (19 games; two goals, two assists) in 2022-23.

The 24-year-old Skinner, acquired along with Sammy Blais and two picks on Feb. 9, 2023 from the New York Rangers for Vladimir Tarasenko and Niko Mikkola, played in 71 games with the Thunderbirds last season and had 23 points (eight goals, 15 assists).   

Zherenko, 24, dressed in 32 games with the Thunderbirds last season and was 12-17-5 with a 3.44 goals-against average and a .897 save percentage. There was some thought initially that he would be heading overseas to play in Europe this season but apparently has had a change of heart.

With the signings, that leaves just leaves forward Nikita Alexandrov, who is a RFA, as the lone player in the organization without a contract. The Blues did not tender qualifying offers to forward Tanner Dickinson and defenseman Anton Malmstrom. Forward Mikhail Abramov is also a RFA and the Blues own his rights but is playing for Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod of the KHL.

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Football Daily | Two seasons in a day: the Champions League and Club World Cup overlap

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Football Daily would prefer not to have to think about Copa Gianni at all but we have a certain professional obligation to do so and have never knowingly been found shirking in the face of our responsibilities. To keep things simple, we prefer to view the tournament as a stand-alone competition that’s taking place between the end of the last season and the beginning of the next one, but the fact that it’s being contested by clubs instead of countries leaves plenty of room for debate. Watching Kingsley Coman “sprint” on to a through-ball from Harry Kane during Bayern Munich’s defeat by PSG as if he was running in knee-deep wet cement, we were presented with the sight of a player in next season’s kit who was quite clearly exhausted by the exertions of the one that may or may not have ended before the tournament in which he was playing started. Does the goal he didn’t score go down in the official xG column of last season, next season, or neither?

There’s me being able to walk down the stairs after I’ve played 90 minutes of football, there’s me in the future when I have children being able to walk around properly, being able to bend down and pick up toys, there’s me being able to do normal life things like put on socks without being in pain and, for the first time in a long time, I genuinely didn’t think about the response of the public because that just wasn’t a priority” – Millie Bright reveals how she is feeling better in her mind after taking the decision to miss Euro 2025 and prioritise her recovery from a knee injury.

Sometimes Mauricio Pochettino wants it to be a penalty, sometimes he doesn’t. There’s just no pleasing some people. Extra moaning points for Poch insinuating that the officials were swayed by the pro-Mexico crowd for a game that USA USA USA were playing at home. P.S. A doff of the cap to Mexico for that uber cool black and gold kit …” – Noble Francis.

With a tip of the cap to The Usual Suspects … the greatest trick Infantino ever pulled was turning me into a Chelsea fan for two hours rooting against Infantino’s home team making the finals” – Harry Webb.

I can’t have been your only reader who paused between Friday’s tea time email and big website’s MBM coverage of the Jurassic reunion opening gig, to turn the dial of my retro digital transistors to the political satirical radio broadcast, Deadringers. I – and what I suspect to be 1,056 others – nearly choked on my fermented tofu when I heard a repeat of your dinosaur banter about the aforementioned group of monobrows. I assume the requisite phone calls were made – i.e. your people calling their people, etc – and payment made (four pack of budget Tin) before Tom Baker’s closing remarks” – Nicholas Tipple.

This is an extract from our daily football email … Football Daily. To get the full version, just visit this page and follow the instructions.

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Mets at Orioles: 5 things to watch and series predictions | July 8-10

Here are five things to watch and predictions as the Mets and Orioles play a three-game series in Baltimore starting on Tuesday at 6:35 p.m. on SNY.

5 things to watch

The pitching staff is stabilizing

The Mets entered this past weekend's series against the Yankees with their pitching situation being akin to a giant shrug emoji. That was due to the avalanche of recent injuries and a postponement early last week that resulted in a doubleheader.

The plan, which resulted in two Mets wins as the team showed serious moxie, meant bullpen games on Friday and Sunday that were sandwiched around a Frankie Montas start on Saturday in what was his first time on the mound after correcting pitch-tipping issues.

New York has made it through the worst, and reinforcements are on the way. Additionally, every key reliever except for Huascar Brazoban will be on at least two full days of rest when this series starts.

Against the Orioles, the Mets will have Clay Holmes starting on Tuesday, David Peterson getting the ball on Wednesday, and likely Montas taking the mound on Thursday.

When the Mets travel to Kansas City this weekend for their final three games before the All-Star break, the expectation is that Kodai Senga will come off the IL to pitch on Friday or Saturday, with Sean Manaea penciled in for his season debut on Sunday.

The offense is coming around

Since shaking off the terrible run they had to end June, New York's offense has been humming along during their recent 4-1 stretch.

While winning four of five games against the Brewers and Yankees (and beating up on some really good starting pitching along the way), the Mets have scored 32 runs -- an average of 6.4 runs per game.

The top of the lineup has continued to do much of the damage, but Ronny Mauricio and Brett Baty have been hitting better as well.

Mauricio went 4-for-10 with a double and two runs scored against the Yanks over the weekend, and Baty went 3-for-6 with a homer.

Mark Vientos still hasn't found his form since coming off the IL, but he hit into a lot of hard luck on Saturday -- a possible sign that things are about to turn for him.

Jesse Winker's return

Winker last played on May 4, which is when he suffered an oblique injury that threw the Mets' designated hitter situation into disarray.

After looking sharp at the plate during a rehab assignment, Winker is set to be activated from the IL ahead of Tuesday's game.

New York Mets designated hitter Jesse Winker (3) is congratulated by teammates after scoring against the St. Louis Cardinals during the second inning at Busch Stadium.
New York Mets designated hitter Jesse Winker (3) is congratulated by teammates after scoring against the St. Louis Cardinals during the second inning at Busch Stadium. / Jeff Curry-Imagn Images

And it's possible Winker's activation is coming at the perfect time, with the status of Starling Marte up in the air after his knee issue flared up.

Winker wasn't crushing it at the plate before he got injured, but he was solidly above average, with an OPS+ of 112.

His return should help lengthen the lineup in a serious way.

Baltimore's pitching has been among the worst in baseball

The Orioles entered this season as the AL East favorites of many, but the year has been a nightmare for them -- due in large part to their starting rotation.

While losing ace Corbin Burnes to the Diamondbacks in free agency, the O's didn't really do much to improve their rotation during the offseason. Their big signings were Tomoyuki Sugano and Charlie Morton.

Then they were hit with injuries to Kyle Bradish, Grayson Rodriguez, and -- most recently -- Zach Eflin.

Baltimore enters this series having allowed 453 runs this season. That is the second-most in the AL (better than only the Athletics) and fifth-most in the majors (the Diamondbacks, Nationals, and Rockies have all surrendered more).

The O's will trot out Brandon Young (7.02 ERA, 1.98 WHIP), Sugano (4.44 ERA, 1.31 WHIP), and Morton (5.47 ERA, 1.55 WHIP) this week against the Mets.

Orioles are looking to stave off a sell-off

With a record of 40-49, the Orioles are in last place in the AL East and 7.5 games behind the Mariners for the final Wild Card spot in the AL.

That means that their six-game stretch against the Mets and Marlins before the All-Star break could be determinative when it comes to what they do at the trade deadline.

If Baltimore decides to sell, it's likely that CF Cedric Mullins and 1B/OF/DH Ryan O'Hearn -- both free agents at the end of the season -- should be on the move.

Mullins could be an intriguing possibility for the Mets, who are in need of more offense in center.

The 30-year-old has a modest OPS+ of 102, but has clubbed 13 home runs.

Predictions

Who will the MVP of the series be?

Mark Vientos

The hits will start to fall for Vientos at Camden Yards.

Which Mets pitcher will have the best start?

David Peterson

Peterson returned to form in his last start, holding the Brewers to one earned run in 6.2 innings.

Which Orioles player will be a thorn in the Mets' side?

Jackson Holliday

Holliday is coming off a 4-for-4 performance against the Braves on Sunday.

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'I Know I'm A Better Player Than I Was In Utah': Matias Maccelli Believes He's Ready For Top-Six Role With Maple Leafs

Matias Maccelli was attempting to make a putt when his friend began yelling about a trade to the Toronto Maple Leafs.

"I was at the golf course trying to make a putt and then my friend started yelling that I just got traded to Toronto, so it was a pretty exciting golf round," he said with a smile over Zoom on Monday morning, before admitting he didn't make the putt.

"I was super pumped, excited to be part of the Leafs now, and it was just a super exciting moment."

The former Utah Mammoth forward was acquired from the Maple Leafs in exchange for a 2027 conditional third-round pick the day before free agency opened. After having a down year— scoring 18 points (eight goals, 10 assists) in 55 games—which Maccelli says came down to ice time and limited opportunity, the Finn wants to make sure that season was an anomaly.

"I still know I'm a better player than I was back in Utah," Maccelli said, "I know I got it still in me, so now I just got to show people that again."

Maple Leafs Trade for Matias Maccelli: Why Toronto Acquired Winger From Utah MammothMaple Leafs Trade for Matias Maccelli: Why Toronto Acquired Winger From Utah MammothThe Toronto Maple Leafs have acquired Matias Maccelli from the Utah Mammoth in exchange for a conditional third-round draft pick in 2027, which will convert to a second-round draft pick in 2029 if Maccelli record at least 51 points in the 2025-26 NHL season.

Maccelli's agent worked with Utah to facilitate a trade this summer. There were many teams interested in the forward's services, with Toronto showing the most interest. That caught Maccelli's eye.

"Definitely right from the start, I told my agent that I would love to play for the Leafs," he said.

With Mitch Marner leaving for the Vegas Golden Knights, Toronto needed to replace at least some of the playmaking that the 100-point forward brought to the table. Maccelli's two years before the 2024-25 season saw him score 106 points (28 goals and 78 assists) across 146 games.

Why Matthew Knies 'Wanted To Go Long-Term' On Six-Year Extension With The Maple LeafsWhy Matthew Knies 'Wanted To Go Long-Term' On Six-Year Extension With The Maple LeafsToronto Maple Leafs forward Matthew Knies was never interested in signing an offer sheet.

The Maple Leafs believe Maccelli can come into the fold after a down year and provide a bit of that offensive playmaking, potentially for Auston Matthews, who's now missing a playmaker on his right wing.

"When he came into the league, his first two years were, he's a dynamic playmaker. When you look at some of the areas that we need to address, playmaking ability was one of them, and we think there's a bet here on a player that we think can rebound from the season he had this year," Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving said on July 1.

"With some of the players that we have, ultimately, it'll come down to the fits and the matches and where they all go, so you play around with it on the board. But we just felt at the price that it cost us that this was a chance for a young player who's got some dynamic skill and ability. It was certainly worth the bet."

'My Favorite Player Growing Up Was Mats Sundin' Nicolas Roy Reacts To Be Traded To Maple Leafs In Mitch Marner Deal'My Favorite Player Growing Up Was Mats Sundin' Nicolas Roy Reacts To Be Traded To Maple Leafs In Mitch Marner DealNic Roy was on a trip with family and friends when he found out that he was being traded from the Vegas Golden Knights to the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Maccelli, though, believes he's "ready" to play in Toronto's top six and would love to get the chance to skate on either one of Matthews or John Tavares' wings next season.

"I would definitely love that. Playing with a guy like that would be great," he said, thinking about playing alongside Matthews. "I'll make sure I'll be in shape if I get a chance to play with Auston or any of the top guys in Toronto, so that would be super good."

The forward is spending his summer at home in Turku, Finland, working on all facets of his game ahead of next season. He's prioritizing his size, strength, shooting, and passing in hopes that he'll return to the form he was in two seasons ago.

"I've been working a lot this summer on my game more than maybe the previous years," Maccelli said.

"Just have to be comfortable again with the puck and make plays, all that kind of stuff. I've definitely putting the work in this summer and ready to go."

Why the Maple Leafs Are Expected to Target Top-Six Forward Help Through Trades, Not Free AgencyWhy the Maple Leafs Are Expected to Target Top-Six Forward Help Through Trades, Not Free AgencyThe Toronto Maple Leafs have a Mitch Marner-sized hole in their lineup opted for a sign and trade with the Vegas Golden Knights. But when the clock struck noon for the opening of free agency, the Leafs were quiet.

Having played in hockey markets like Utah (and Arizona before that), Maccelli doesn't know what to expect playing in a city like Toronto. He'll be entering a new team, only knowing Shane Doan, Toronto's special advisor to Treliving, and nobody else.

But Maccelli is excited for the next chapter in his hockey career and hopes to do right by Toronto, who's making a smart bet by bringing the forward into the organization.

"I'm super super excited for this opportunity to play for the Leafs next year and can't wait to get going, can't wait to get in the city of Toronto and meet everyone there and just to get going.

"Super excited."

(Top photo of Maccelli: Nick Wosika / Imagn Images)

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Why Mike Krukow believes Giants' hitting trio is what it ‘promises to be'

Why Mike Krukow believes Giants' hitting trio is what it ‘promises to be' originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The Giants’ offense is heading in the right direction.

San Francisco broadcaster Mike Krukow joined KNBR 680’s “Murph & Markus” on Monday morning, where he was asked about Willy Adames, Matt Chapman and Rafael Devers making the Giants’ lineup for the first time this season against the Athletics. 

Hint: Krukow liked what he saw from the hitting trio.

“It’s what it promises to be,” Krukow said. “Willy Adames got off to a horrendous start. And yet, these last 25 games, he’s hitting like .320. 

“He’s really beginning to carry the club. He’s doing what everybody had hoped he would do in a Giants uniform. He’s red hot, and I think that’s great.” 

Before Saturday’s game, manager Bob Melvin insisted Chapman’s return to the lineup – after missing 23 games with a sprained right hand  – was favorable in a plethora of ways. 

He was right.

Even though he took better swings for most of June, Adames’ hot July run continued over the weekend, taking his monthly count to two homers and nine RBI. Adames’ OPS is up to a season-high .683. 

With Chapman back in the lineup, the Giants are starting to show signs of breaking out of their collective offensive slump. Krukow believes this change also will benefit both Devers and Chapman.

“I think that’s going to take pressure off of Devers until he still gets to the comfort zone,” Krukow added. “He’s flirting with it. And until Chapman gets completely tuned up, gets the at-bats he needs and gets sharp again. 

“It just promises to be a very exciting second half. Bob Melvin made mention of that, getting everybody back and everybody up to speed and going in the right direction. He thinks it’s going to be a great second half for the Giants.”

Download and follow the Giants Talk Podcast

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Victor Wembanyama shares advice to Kings' Maxime Raynaud on draft night FaceTime

Victor Wembanyama shares advice to Kings' Maxime Raynaud on draft night FaceTime originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Victor Wembanyama had some words of wisdom for Kings’ second-round NBA draft pick Maxime Raynaud.

The two Frenchmen played together at a young age in France back in the day, and on draft night, Wembanyama FaceTimed Raynaud to share some advice with the No. 42 overall pick.

“We FaceTimed on draft night. I mean, he wanted to remind me that this is just a start,” Raynaud told NBC Sports California’s Morgan Ragan following his introductory press conference. “Like, you need to keep working, obviously. But then at the same time, he really told me to enjoy [it] because this is also my experience and my journey.

“And there’s no better way to find out how it goes than to be thrown into the fire, really. So, yeah, he was doing that. He’s a special guy.”

Wembanyama, the No. 1 overall pick in 2023, surely knows how quickly life changes after the NBA draft.

Sacramento drafted Raynaud out of Stanford with the 12th pick of the second round, adding a 22-year-old Frenchman who is a skilled 7-foot shooter and can hold his own on the glass.

Raynaud was born and raised in Paris, France, before joining the Stanford men’s basketball program, where he earned Second-Team All-Pac-12 and Pac-12 Most Improved Player honors as a junior. He was chosen to the All-Atlantic Coast Conference first-team member during his final season at Stanford after averaging 20.2 points, 10.6 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.4 blocks.

With Wembanyama as a trusted NBA mentor and friend, Raynaud already appears to be in good hands as he embarks on his new journey in Sacramento.

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NHL Rumor Roundup: The Latest On Bowen Byram, Questions About Artemi Panarin's Future With Rangers

The pickings are slim in this summer's free-agent market, particularly for top four defensemen. That has NHL teams seeking blueline depth returning to the trade market.

Bowen Byram remains the hot topic in recent media rumor chatter. Buffalo Sabres GM Kevyn Adams told reporters last week he'd match any offer sheet from a rival club. With the Sabres taking the 24-year-old RFA to arbitration, he's ineligible to sign an offer sheet.

The Sabres can still trade Byram before his arbitration hearing. Some observers feel the blueliner could be peddled for a top-six winger.

On Thursday, The Athletic's Jeremy Rutherford reported a league source claimed the St. Louis Blues were “trying hard” to get Byram. His colleague, Matthew Fairburn, reiterated that if Byram hits the trade block, the Sabres would want a return that immediately helps their roster.

Fairburn speculated that such a deal could contain multiple players, like the return they received from the Utah Mammoth for JJ Peterka last month. Fairburn also suggested the Sabres could package Byram with a pick or prospect to get a better player.

Rutherford and Fairburn also looked at what the Blues might have to give up to the Sabres to land Byram. They felt he could slot in on the right side of their second defense pairing to replace Justin Faulk if he were part of the return to the Sabres.

Faulk, 33, has two years left on his contract with an average annual value of $6.5 million and a 15-team no-trade list. If the Sabres are on his list, the Blues would have to find another trade partner to take him off their hands.

Both writers felt the Sabres would want a good young player (like Jake Neighbours) included in the deal.

Bowen Byram (Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images)

Turning to the New York Rangers, Larry Brooks of the New York Postwondered why there hasn't been any news about a contract extension for Artemi Panarin. The 33-year-old left winger is in the final season of his contract and is UFA-eligible next July.

Brooks believes the Rangers can't let Panarin go. Since coming to New York in 2019, he's been the fourth-highest-scoring player in the NHL. Having him on the roster could also make the Blueshirts an enticing destination for future free agents. Brooks thinks Panarin might agree to a four-year extension.

Panarin could be keen to remain with the Rangers after this season. However, much will depend on their performance in the wake of GM Chris Drury's roster retooling efforts since December. Another disappointing season could prompt Panarin to take his talents elsewhere.

Get the latest news and trending stories by following The Hockey News on Google News and by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com.

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Why Celtics won't receive Blazers' picks in Holiday trade: Report

Why Celtics won't receive Blazers' picks in Holiday trade: Report originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

Two weeks after it was initially reported, the Boston Celtics’ trade of Jrue Holiday is finally official.

But the terms of the deal have changed — and not in a way that benefits Boston.

The Portland Trail Blazers announced Monday they’ve acquired Holiday from the Celtics in exchange for guard Anfernee Simons. Initial reports had Boston receiving two second-round draft picks from Portland in addition to Simons, but the Celtics no longer will receive those selections. Instead, it’s a one-for-one player swap involving Holiday and Simons.

Why the altered deal? According to The Oregonian’s Aaron Fentress, the Blazers removed the picks after going over Holiday’s medical records.

“A recent review of Holiday’s medicals revealed nothing substantial enough to warrant the trade being negated. However, there was enough there to lead the Blazers to alter the terms of the deal slightly,” Fentress wrote, citing a league source.

Holiday dealt with a handful of minor injuries last season, including a “mallet finger” injury on his right pinkie and a right hamstring strain that sidelined him for three games in the first round of the playoffs. But the 35-year-old is still “considered to be healthy” and expected to be a full participant at Blazers training camp this fall, per Fentress.

While losing out on a pair of second-round picks isn’t ideal for Boston, the team still accomplished its primary goal of moving Holiday’s contract to trim salary. The Celtics saved an initial $4.7 million for the 2025-26 season by swapping Holiday for Simons, and can further cut costs by flipping Simons’ $27.7 expiring contract in an additional deal.

Boston’s trade of Kristaps Porzingis also was made official Monday, with the big man heading to the Atlanta Hawks and veteran forward Georges Niang joining the Celtics as part of a three-team deal.

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Everything to know for the 2025 MLB All-Star Game: How to watch, rosters and more

Everything to know for the 2025 MLB All-Star Game: How to watch, rosters and more originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The Midsummer Classic is right around the corner.

The top players across Major League Baseball will meet up for the 95th MLB All-Star Game as the American League battles the National League.

This year’s All-Star Game will be held at Truist Park in Atlanta, home of the Braves. It will be the third All-Star Game in Atlanta and first at Truist Park.

The AL got back in the win column in 2024, defeating the NL 5-3 at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. The AL had won nine straight from 2013 to 2022 (there was no All-Star Game during the COVID-shortened 2020 season) before the NL snapped its skid with a 3-2 win in 2023.

Here’s everything you need to know to get set for the 2025 All-Star Game:

When is the 2025 MLB All-Star Game?

The 2025 All-Star Game is scheduled for Tuesday, July 15.

What time does the MLB All-Star Game start?

First pitch is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET.

Where is the 2025 MLB All-Star Game being played?

Truist Park in Atlanta will host the MLB All-Star Game for the first time in 2025.

The ballpark was supposed to host the 2021 Midsummer Classic, but MLB moved that game to Coors Field in Denver over objections to Georgia’s voting rights laws.

What TV channel is the MLB All-Star Game on?

FOX will air the 2025 MLB All-Star Game.

Where to stream the MLB All-Star Game live online

The MLB All-Star Game will also be available to stream on FoxSports.com and the Fox Sports app.

Does the MLB All-Star Game determine World Series home-field advantage?

The MLB All-Star Game no longer determines home-field advantage for the World Series.

That rule had been in place from 2003-2016, but now the team with the better regular season record gets home-field advantage in the Fall Classic.

Are there extra innings in the MLB All-Star Game?

If the MLB All-Star Game is tied after nine innings, it will not go to extra innings.

Instead, the outcome will be decided by a Home Run Derby. The derby format sees three players from each team getting three swings — with coaches pitching to them — to try to hit as many home runs as possible. The team with the most combined home runs is named the winner of the game.

The derby tiebreaker has not been used yet since the rule was implemented in 2022.

Are there MLB All-Star Game uniforms for 2025?

MLB is going back to primary team uniforms for the All-Star Game. For 2025, AL players will wear their road jerseys, while NL players will wear their home jerseys.

The league unveiled uniforms that players will wear for Gatorade workout day and the Home Run Derby:

MLB ASGMLB
The All-Star Game uniforms are inspired by Atlanta and the Braves’ Truist Park.

For the All-Star Game, club uniforms were used by the American League from 1933-2019 and by the National League from 1934-2019.

MLB All-Star Game all-time record

The AL boasts a 48-44-2 record all time over the NL entering the 2025 All-Star Game.

2025 MLB All-Star Game starters

Here are the starters for the AL and NL All-Star teams:

American League

  • C: Cal Raleigh, Seattle Mariners
  • 1B: Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Toronto Blue Jays
  • 2B: Gleyber Torres, Detroit Tigers
  • 3B: José Ramírez, Cleveland Guardians
  • SS: Jacob Wilson, Athletics
  • OF: Aaron Judge, New York Yankees
  • OF: Riley Greene, Detroit Tigers
  • OF: Javier Báez, Detroit Tigers
  • DH: Ryan O’Hearn, Baltimore Orioles

National League

2025 MLB All-Star Game reserves

Here are the backup position players for the 2025 MLB All-Star Game:

American League

  • Alejandro Kirk, C, Toronto Blue Jays
  • Jonathan Aranda, 1B, Tampa Bay Rays
  • Alex Bregman, 3B, Boston Red Sox
  • Jazz Chisholm Jr., 3B, New York Yankees
  • Brandon Lowe, 2B, Tampa Bay Rays
  • Jeremy Peña, SS, Houston Astros
  • Bobby Witt Jr., SS, Kansas City Royals
  • Byron Buxton, OF, Minnesota Twins
  • Steven Kwan, OF, Cleveland Guardians
  • Julio Rodríguez, OF, Seattle Mariners
  • Brent Rooker, DH, Athletics

National League

  • Hunter Goodman, C, Colorado Rockies
  • Pete Alonso, 1B, New York Mets
  • Elly De La Cruz, SS, Cincinnati Reds
  • Brendan Donovan, 2B, St. Louis Cardinals
  • Matt Olson, 1B, Atlanta Braves
  • Eugenio Suárez, 3B, Arizona Diamondbacks
  • Corbin Carroll, OF, Arizona Diamondbacks
  • Kyle Stowers, OF, Miami Marlins
  • Fernando Tatis Jr., OF, San Diego Padres
  • James Wood, OF, Washington Nationals
  • Kyle Schwarber, DH, Philadelphia Phillies

2025 MLB All-Star Game pitchers

Here are the pitchers for the 2025 MLB All-Star Game (starting pitchers to be determined):

American League starting pitchers

  • Hunter Brown, RHP, Houston Astros
  • Kris Bubic, LHP, Kansas City Royals
  • Garrett Crochet, LHP, Boston Red Sox
  • Jacob deGrom, RHP, Texas Rangers
  • Max Fried, LHP, New York Yankees
  • Yusei Kikuchi, LHP, Los Angeles Angels
  • Tarik Skubal, LHP, Detroit Tigers
  • Shane Smith, RHP, Chicago White Sox
  • Bryan Woo, RHP, Seattle Mariners

American League relief pitchers

  • Aroldis Chapman, LHP, Boston Red Sox
  • Josh Hader, LHP, Houston Astros
  • Andrés Muñoz, RHP, Seattle Mariners

National League starting pitchers

  • Matthew Boyd, LHP, Chicago Cubs
  • MacKenzie Gore, LHP, Washington Nationals
  • Clayton Kershaw, LHP, Los Angeles Dodgers (Legend Pick)
  • Freddy Peralta, RHP, Milwaukee Brewers
  • Robbie Ray, LHP, San Francisco Giants
  • Chris Sale, LHP, Atlanta Braves
  • Paul Skenes, RHP, Pittsburgh Pirates
  • Logan Webb, RHP, San Francisco Giants
  • Zack Wheeler, RHP, Philadelphia Phillies
  • Yoshinobu Yamamoto, RHP, Los Angeles Dodgers

National League relief pitchers

  • Jason Adam, RHP, San Diego Padres
  • Edwin Díaz, RHP, New York Mets
  • Randy Rodríguez, RHP, San Francisco Giants

Posted on

Pirates star outfielder Bryan Reynolds reportedly has Giants on no-trade list

Pirates star outfielder Bryan Reynolds reportedly has Giants on no-trade list originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

It appears unlikely that Pirates switch-hitting star outfielder Bryan Reynolds, who might be moved as part of a potential Pittsburgh fire sale, will end up back with the Giants organization by the MLB’s July 31 trade deadline.

The Giants are one of six teams, including the Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees, San Diego Padres, Toronto Blue Jays and New York Mets on Reynolds’ no-trade list, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Noah Hiles reported Sunday, citing sources.

Based on the reported list of teams, who all are playoff contenders, it would appear that Reynolds might be hurting his chance to contend for a World Series, after spending his seven-year MLB career with the Pirates, who currently are last in the NL Central with a 38-53 record. But the 30-year-old probably wouldn’t mesh well with the crowded outfields and supposed marquee bats already featured in most teams on his no-trade clause list.

San Francisco, at least, probably doesn’t want to force a deal for offense after acquiring Rafael Devers in a blockbuster trade with the Boston Red Sox, especially considering Reynolds is having a down season.

Reynolds holds a -0.7 WAR and is slashing .229/.294/.380 with 76 hits, 45 RBI and 10 home runs during the 2025 MLB season. But it’s Reynolds’ career history that could be enticing to some organizations.

He has slashed .272/.346/.461 over 879 total regular-season games with 898 hits, 456 RBI and 132 homers while remaining consistently available. Reynolds notably is coming off a 2025 campaign in which he earned his second trip to the MLB All-Star Game after collecting a career-high 171 hits.

Don’t expect the Giants to make a serious push to acquire Reynolds, as San Francisco is on his list of teams he can refuse a trade to. But if Reynolds somehow ended up in the Bay, it would be quite a full-circle moment given the two parties’ history.

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Young Giants shortstop Josuar Gonzalez added to Top-100 MLB prospects list

Young Giants shortstop Josuar Gonzalez added to Top-100 MLB prospects list originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Bryce Eldridge isn’t the only top-100 prospect in the Giants organization anymore.

Shortstop Josuar Gonzalez has been added to Baseball America’s Top 100 List, J.J. Cooper announced Monday.

The 17-year-old was signed by the Giants on Jan. 15 and was assigned to the Dominican Summer League on Feb. 28.

The leader of the Giants’ International Class signed for $3 million, the second-highest bonus the franchise has ever given an international prospect.

Gonzalez has played 23 games with DSL Giants Black, batting .254 with 31 total bases and 16 stolen bases.

The Dominican Republic native joins Giants’ top prospect, Eldridge, as the only two on the list from the program. Left-handed pitcher Carson Whisenhunt, not a top-100 prospect, is playing in the 2025 Futures Game on July 12.

Gonzalez still is in the early stages of his professional career, but he’s already being mentioned among the best players in the farm system.

Gonzalez is performing well for the Giants’ rookie affiliate, and if he keeps it up, it’s only a matter of time before he’s promoted within San Francisco’s farm system.

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Guardians at Astros prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends, and stats for July 7

Its Monday, July 7 and the Guardians (40-48) are in Houston to open a series agaist the Astros (55-35).

Tanner Bibee is slated to take the mound for Cleveland against Colton Gordon for Houston.

The Guardians have lost their last ten games. This past weekend they were swept by the Tigers. Cleveland is now 15.5 games behind Detroit and seven games back in the Wildcard race.

The Astros swept the Dodgers at Chavez Ravine over the weekend. They have now won five of their last six to maintain control of the American League West. Sunday, Jose Altuve went yard, and Ryan Gusto allowed just one run over six innings to earn his sixth win of the season.

Lets dive into the matchup and find a sweat or two.

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Follow Rotoworld Player News for the latest fantasy and betting player news and analysis all season long.

Game details & how to watch Guardians at Astros

  • Date: Monday, July 7, 2025
  • Time: 8:10PM EST
  • Site: Minute Maid Park
  • City: Houston, TX
  • Network/Streaming: CLEG, SCHN

Never miss a second of the action and stay up-to-date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day MLB schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game with every out.

Odds for the Guardians at the Astros

The latest odds as of Monday:

  • Moneyline: Guardians (+136), Astros (-162)
  • Spread:  Astros -1.5
  • Total: 7.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Guardians at Astros

  • Pitching matchup for July 7, 2025: Tanner Bibee vs. Colton Gordon
    • Guardians: Tanner Bibee (4-9, 4.20 ERA)
      Last outing: 7/2 at Cubs - 4IP, 5ER, 6H, 4BB, 5Ks
    • Astros: Colton Gordon (3-1, 4.37 ERA)
      Last outing: 7/1 at Colorado - 4.2IP, 4ER, 9H, 2BB, 3Ks

Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB player news for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!

Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Guardians at Astros

  • The Astros have won 4 of their last 5 home series against the Guardians
  • The Under is 4-1 in the Guardians' last 5 road games
  • The Guardians have covered in 4 of their last 5 games for a profit of 1.53 units
  • After hitting .221 in June, Christian Walker is hitting .429 (12-28) through 6 games in July
  • Jose Altuve has hit in 5 straight games (10-20)
  • Rookie Cam Smith was 0-5 Sunday but is 11-30 (.367) overall in July
  • Jose Ramirez is 3-22 (.136) through six games in July

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Guardians and the Astros

Rotoworld Best Bet

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Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Monday's game between the Guardians and the Astros:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Houston Astros on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Houston Astros at -1.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the over on the Game Total of 7.0.

Want even more MLB best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert MLB Predictions page from NBC

Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

  • Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
  • Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)
  • Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
  • Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)