BSJ Weekend Briefing 11.20.20: Will Ainge be left holding bag on Hayward? Next step for Pats; Revs in playoffs; College hockey is back

Good morning!

Your daily rundown of what's going on with the Patriots, Red Sox, Celtics, Bruins and Revolution, and what's about to happen...

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• Gordon Hayward has opted out of his Celtics contract. The question is, what happens now?


• If Hayward signs out-right with another team, Danny Ainge is going to have egg on his face. With Kyrie Irving, Al Horford and now possibly Hayward leaving without a sign and trade, the Celtics — a contending team just lacking a major piece or two the past couple of years — will have watched a significant amount of cap space leave out the door and no way to match it.


• There's little doubt that has adversely affected this team, and if Hayward signs out-right, it's going to be a huge blow to next year's team. I don't know how you spin that as a positive. Ainge's plans keep blowing up in his face and he's been left with a team that's good, but not good enough. 2021 will be the same.


• If Bill Belichick was left with a ton of "dead money" on a team that was close to contending, we'd rightfully skewer him.


• I take a look at what needs to happen for the Patriots to stay in the playoff race down the stretch.


• One piece I do know fell into place: that Arizona game next Sunday looks a lot more winnable after the Cardinals' loss last night to the Seahawks.


• Yes, Arizona will have 10 days to rest (Kyler Murray's right shoulder looked like it needs it) and prepare for the Patriots. That's big. But that Cardinals team is largely an undisciplined mess in all three phases and is exactly the type of team that a buttoned-up Patriots team will beat at home.


• Nick Cattles and I deep-dived the Patriots' next steps on the latest pod. Good discussion, I thought.


• Revs are hosting Montreal (talk about undisciplined messes) tonight in a play-in game. I like their chances now that Carles Gil is back at full strength.


• New England College Hockey is back this weekend!

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