Checking in on the Knicks’ rivals after the trade deadline

After the busiest trade deadline in league history, how does the East stack up?

Pencils down.

The most chaotic trade deadline in NBA history has come and gone. Nine former or current all-stars were traded. Despite the new CBA’s best efforts to make trading a nightmare for teams in the luxury tax, the added desperation of closing windows, questionable long-term outlooks, and maybe just a few boneheaded decisions led to a cataclysmic shift in the NBA. I mean, hell, tell me it hasn’t almost completely drawn attention away from the buildup to Super Bowl LIX. I forgot it was even on Sunday!

As we know, the Knicks were rather silent in this chaotic period. Their lone trade was shipping Jericho Sims to the Milwaukee Bucks in exchange for Delon Wright, who may not even be a rotation member (we’ll see in the coming days).

And, yes, a lot of the action this week involved Western Conference teams, but plenty of moves were made by teams in the East as well. We’ll be checking in on all of the teams in the Eastern Conference playoff picture, plus one or two more that could be relevant for one reason or another.

Cleveland Cavaliers

Added: De’Andre Hunter

Subtracted: Caris LeVert, Georges Niang

The top team in the East got even stronger with a deadline day trade to snatch De’Andre Hunter from the Atlanta Hawks for a relatively cheap price of three seconds, two pick swaps, and matching salary.

Hunter adds something Cleveland has sorely lacked in their contention window: a 3-and-D wing. Remember when the Cavs were in a panic, sending guys like Isaac Okoro and the aforementioned LeVert at Jalen Brunson in the first round two years ago? Now, they can make up for the defensive shortcomings of Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland with Hunter, who also is averaging a career-high 19.4 points per game. They do lose a microwave scorer in LeVert (40.5% from 3) and solid depth in Niang, but this was a worthwhile upgrade.

Boston Celtics

Added: Torrey Craig (buyout), two seconds

Subtracted: Jaden Springer

The reigning champs didn’t think much had to be improved despite a recent slump. They head into tonight’s duel at MSG with a meh 15-11 record since starting 21-5.

As a team in the second apron, Boston shed salary in Springer, which reduced the tax burden and got them an extra pick. They seem to have replaced him fine by reportedly adding Torrey Craig in the buyout market, who hasn’t played since the New Year but is a 39.7% shooter from deep over the past three seasons and has good size at 6’7”. He was mentioned in Knicks circles, but he wasn’t going to wait three weeks to sign here.

Indiana Pacers

Crickets

The sneaky Pacers have rebounded after a frustrating start and have taken advantage of a very weak crop of teams beneath the East’s Big Three to snag fourth.

And yet, they did nothing.

Sure, they acquired steady backup big Thomas Bryant in December.

Sure, they got the Raptors to take the injured James Wiseman for some reason.

The crazy thing is that, despite their window being wide open, the discussions weren’t about adding but saving money. OAKAAK Obi Toppin and perennial deadline survivor Myles Turner were floated as trade candidates to save salary. However, shedding Wiseman did help them duck the luxury tax, so that’s something.

Milwaukee Bucks

Added: Kevin Porter Jr., Kyle Kuzma, Jericho Sims

Subtracted: MarJon Beauchamp, Khris Middleton, AJ Johnson, Delon Wright

Every contender reaches the phase of desperately making moves to stay relevant in a title chase.

The Bucks are there.

As an uninspiring five-seed, the Bucks traded a franchise icon whose body has been failing him, banishing him to the Wizards (a punishment worse than death in 2025) for Kyle Kuzma, a former champion who is having the worst year of his career. Is this Wizards-itis and a bounceback next to two bonafide all-stars coming? Possibly, but growing pains are expected from a guy who’s been allowed to do whatever he wants for two years and has to fit into a scheme now.

In other news, two former first-round picks were dealt, with neither ever getting a role that the Bucks envisioned when drafting them. Kevin Porter had a ghastly 47.6 TS% for the Clippers as a bench player, which isn’t ideal. As for Jericho, I hope Dame has been practicing lobs.

Miami Heat

Added: Davion Mitchell, Andrew Wiggins, Kyle Anderson

Subtracted: P.J. Tucker, Jimmy Butler, Josh Richardson

The saga is finally over. Jimmy Butler is a Golden State Warrior, which means we don’t have to deal with him anymore. Fun!

This is honestly a huge win for Miami. It was unlikely Jimmy was playing for them again, and failing to get anything back would’ve thrown this season away. Instead, they get a solid starting forward in Andrew Wiggins and reliable depth in “Slo-Mo” Kyle Anderson.

One note: it is hilarious that Davion Mitchell is wearing 45. Remember the Spida-to-Miami rumors in 2022?

Detroit Pistons

Added: Dennis Schroder, Lindy Waters III

Subtracted: a few second-round picks

The Pistons did not lose the plot. They know they’re an overachieving young playoff/play-in team with a low ceiling for 2025. They helped with the finances in the Jimmy Butler trade and were rewarded with Dennis Schroder, who’s been hot-potato’d around the league of late. This doesn’t really change much, but I’m encouraged that they’re being smart and rational about their place in the East’s pecking order.

Orlando Magic

Crickets

Unlike Indiana, this is real crickets. They did nothing.

But, to be honest, I can’t say I disagree with the approach.

They have way too many issues to solve at one deadline. Despite their assets, they are an extremely poor shooting team (the only player on the roster with a 3PT% higher than 33.3% is Mo Wagner, who tore his ACL), can’t stay healthy, and both of their stars are taking turns throwing up on themselves. Paolo Banchero has been a mess since returning him his oblique tear, and Orlando has cratered. Just take what you can get and focus on next year.

Atlanta Hawks

Added: Caris LeVert, Georges Niang, Terence Mann

Subtracted: Bogdan Bogdanovic, De’Andre Hunter, Cody Zeller

Do the Hawks know they don’t own their own pick?

Don’t get me wrong, I love that they’re finally realistic about their situation and traded guys for assets, but they don’t benefit from bottoming out. I guess that’s why they got guys like LeVert and Mann to keep them in the play-in. It’s also worth noting that they ducked the tax as well.

Now, apparently, Trae Young might be unhappy; they still have little control over their future draft stock, and they traded a young wing for pennies on the dollar. It’s just a confusing all-around approach.

I’m just happy Bogdanovic went to the West. I have bad memories from 2021.

Chicago Bulls

Added: Zach Collins, Tre Jones, Kevin Huerter

Subtracted: Zach LaVine

The entire basketball world has been begging them to pick a direction while their management continues to live in denial about their mediocrity.

Well, at least they did something, right?

Kudos to them for getting off of LaVine’s monstrous contract, but they kept Vucevic again.

They extended Lonzo Ball for some reason and couldn’t take advantage of having a billion solid role players by trading some to contenders for draft assets. If you look up the word “mid” in the dictionary, this team will pop up.

Philadelphia 76ers

Added: Quentin Grimes, Jared Butler

Subtracted: Caleb Martin, KJ Martin, Reggie Jackson

I have enjoyed their downfall, in case you were wondering.

They didn’t throw in the towel for 2025, something they should consider with the whole, I don’t know, giving your lottery pick to OKC thing.

However, they got some seconds, flipped older dudes for younger dudes, and ducked under the luxury tax. It’s not bad, but this team is just uninspiring as a whole.

The Rest Of The East

Brooklyn Nets: You failed to trade Cam Johnson but are at least buying out Ben Simmons. Just please don’t sign in Cleveland.

Toronto Raptors: Really? With the Quickley, Barrett, and Barnes contracts on the books, why would you put yourself in a position to overpay a damaged asset in Brandon Ingram? And give up a pick for the fourth deadline in a row? Understand your window, dammit!

Charlotte Hornets: Both of their valuable centers are gone, but they did get OAKAAK Cam Reddish and a solid young role player in Dalton Knecht, along with draft compensation. LaMelo and Miller are the future; just stay the course.

Washington Wizards: They won three in a row before losing to Cleveland on Friday. They’ll be adding veterans Marcus Smart and Khris Middleton to a young and very bad team. Jordan Poole, please keep dropping 40. It’s really fun.