By far the busiest division at the NBA Trade Deadline was the Atlantic who entered the day divided into three categories. Two teams were positioned to head into the lottery; one of them has a bright future (Philadelphia 76ers) and one is scrambling to become relevant sometime before the next decade (Brooklyn Nets). Another two are embroiled in a battle to become the next in line to the East’s best (Toronto Raptors, Boston Celtics). And the final team was mired in public relations trouble shooting.
As scribes braced for the NBA Trade Deadline there was an overwhelming sense it would be an active day of roster shifts.