While the Knicks Had a relatively calm deadline, some of their rivals from the Eastern Conference were actively looking to improve. Now that pencils are broken down and commercial calls have been made, let’s take stock of what each East team has done and how it affects their place in the playoff race.
1. Cleveland Cavaliers 42-10
The seeded of the conference was not satisfied with their historic start, so they exchanged Lever Caris,, Georges NiangThree second round choices, and two first -round choices for Atlanta Of’Andre Hunter. In a swing, they approached their greatest weakness – the small attacker and fifth place in their programming which was inhabited by the committee this point.
Now Cleveland adds a multi -positional wing of 6’8 ”and 225 pounds and 2 and D in the middle of a year of career – on average 19 points per game on 53.1% shooting of two and 39.3% compared to three. If they were not already a major threat to New York and the conference as a whole, they have now cemented their competitor status.
2. Boston Celtics 36-16
The title champions of the NBA made little noise on the deadline, their only trade losing them an additional choice of second round to empty Jaden Springersalary. It was not surprising given their high season and its limited flexibility, and did not change their most dangerous team status in the playoffs.
3. New York Knicks 34-17
New York kept the silence of this deadline, with only one Sims Jericho For Delon Wright Exchange yourself to show it. They believe The return of Mitchell Robinson This already strong rotation should be sufficient to carry them to succeed in the playoffs.
4. Indiana pacers 29-21
Despite a season from top to bottom, the Pacers found themselves in the fourth seeded and transmitted the major movements to the deadline. Their only business has moved James Wiseman And money for a second round choice.
The Knicks were not whole and underwent a serious renovation of the alignment since the Pacers eliminated them last season, and the rivals are 1-1 so far this season. They are not yet safe in the competitor level, but New York cannot underestimate them in a potential match in the playoffs.
5. Milwaukee Bucks 27-23
We have not yet seen the twinning praised of Damian Lillard And Giannis antetokounmpo Materialized as a real threat to the east, clearly the organization felt in the same way, making things move on the deadline. They moved another piece from their 2021 championship team, Khris Middletonrecruited AJ Johnson And an exchange of first -round choice for Kyle Kuzma,, Patrick Baldwin Jr. And a second round choice.
They also concluded the Sims agreement and exchanged Marjon Beauchamp For Kevin Porter Jr. To strengthen their bench. While the big names have changed hands, many are skeptical, these movements bring them closer to the disputed of the first order of the conference, and we will have to wait and see if they are right.
6. Detroit Pistons 26-26
In the running for their first appearance in the playoffs since 2019, the pistons have added some benches to the deadline in Dennis Schroder And Lindy Waters III. Neither will move the needle, but Detroit has already exceeded New York twice this year, and they will not be easy if they sneak in the playoffs.
7. Miami Heat 25-25
Miami finally got rid of Jimmy Butler situation, sending it to Golden State for Andrew Wiggins,, Kyle Anderson And Davion Mitchell. While going from this distraction, adding young talents and playing Kell’el Ware In addition, it should give them more positive results, it is difficult to see them be the same kind of upset threat without butler in the playoffs.
8. Orlando Magic 25-28
After a hot start of the season, the magic was struck by injuries to each of their base pieces, and now finds himself trying to go up in a top six top as their guys come back. Given their positioning and their assets, they would expect them to do a kind of upgrade on the deadline, but they have chosen to stand up, betting an entirely healthy list can progress through the SERIES Elimination from any seed.
Others:
– The Atlanta Hawks are again in the game race, but lose Jalen Johnson For the season, probably obliging them to move two key rotation guys for young players and DRAFT capital
– It was a confusing deadline, but not compared to that of Chicago, after a meager return for Zach Lavine And no other sales movement left them a rotation of eight guard and no clear direction
– Philadelphia would have been one of the best teams in the East before the season, but injuries and sub-performances have ten games under .500 and collect younger choices and players on the deadline instead of Strengthen for a real race
– A team that improved was Toronto, who exchanged Ingram Brandonwhich will be a fun experience to look at taking place in the severum of the season
– Charlotte and Washington will not be near a place in the playoffs, but they both made wise movements to continue their reconstructions and build their assets
