Taking stock of the East playoff picture post-trade deadline

The Boston Celtics saw several East teams make moves at the deadline while they stood pat; how — if at all — did it change the East playoff picture?

THE TRADES

Atlanta Hawks

The Hawks started the day one of the league’s worst teams, and ended it…one of the league’s worst teams, though certainly taking some steps forward.

They dealt wing Evan Turner away to the Minnesota Timberwolves along with their 2020 first-round pick, sent their 2024 second-round pick to the Houston Rockets, waived forward Chandler Parsons and landed centers Clint Capela and Nene Hilario for their troubles in one deal that was part of a four-team blockbuster taking place a few days before the deadline.

They also sent big man Alex Len and forward Jabari Parker to the Sacramento Kings for old friend Dewayne Dedmon in another, and sent a 2024 second-rounder to the Portland Trailblazers in exchange for center Skal Labissiere.

While these deals should help the Hawks get better when they can address the big man glut they now have on their roster, it remains to be seen if it will actually help the team this season, particularly now that they have no reason to tank.

Grade: TBD — with Capela’s health a bit of a question mark with ongoing tendonitis, this move will likely need another season to truly judge the value of.