There are different motivations for making trades before the deadline. Some teams make additions to create playoff contenders. Others try to cut salary as they look ahead to the free agent market. And others, like the Boston Celtics, make room on their rosters in hopes of landing the missing pieces for another deep postseason run.

NBA teams had until February 19 to make their final trades of the season. With a tight race at the top and bottom of the Eastern Conference standings, these deals could affect not only Celtics seed in the playoffs, but also who they face in the first few rounds of the postseason.

(Standings as of February 23)

1. Cleveland Cavaliers

The Deal
None

The Cavs held the golden ticket with the expiring contract of Wally Szczerbiak, but in the end they stood pat at the trade deadline. Even though they were unable to acquire another big body, they still sit atop the Eastern Conference standings. Not to mention they just got a healthy Delonte West back in the lineup. The question is, will that be enough in the postseason?

2. Boston Celtics

The Deals
February 17: The Celtics traded guard Sam Cassell and cash to the Sacramento Kings for a future conditional second-round draft pick.

February 19: In a three-team deal, the Celtics traded center Patrick O'Bryant to the Toronto Raptors for guard Will Solomon. The Celtics traded Solomon to the Sacramento Kings in exchange for a future second-round draft pick.

Looking ahead to the playoffs the two biggest concerns on the Celtics were depth at the point guard position and size down low. Moving Cassell was necessary to make room should Stephon Marbury become available. Reputation aside, he is a more proven ball handler than Eddie House and Gabe Pruitt. By trading O'Bryant, the Celtics can pursue game-ready big men. Free agent Mikki Moore has reportedly been contacted by the Celtics and Joe Smith could be a P.J. Brown-like addition, pending a buyout from the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The need for a big man became more immediate after Kevin Garnett suffered a muscle strain in his right knee just hours after the trade deadline. While Garnett is expected to return within two to three weeks, even just one loss during that stretch could impact the Celtics' chances of earning homecourt advantage in the playoffs. That’s not to say that O’Bryant would have been the answer if he were still on the Celtics. But with games looming against LeBron James and Dwight Howard, the Celtics have to act fast to add more size.

3. Orlando Magic

The Deals
February 5: The Orlando Magic traded guard Keith Bogans to the Milwaukee Bucks in exchange for guard Tyronn Lue.

February 19: In part of a three-team deal with the Houston Rockets and Memphis Grizzlies, the Magic acquired point guard Rafer Alston from the Rockets in exchange for forward Brian Cook.

The Magic had to find a replacement for Jameer Nelson if they wanted to contend with the Celtics and Cavaliers. Lue wasn't going to cut it. Alston isn't the scorer Nelson was, but he gives the Magic a reliable ball handler to keep them in the mix.

4. Atlanta Hawks

The Deal
None

The Hawks are moving forward with the same core that threatened to eliminate the Celtics from the first round of last year's playoffs. That seven-game series was not a fluke. The Hawks continue to challenge the Celtics in the regular season and will be that much more dangerous with one playoff run under their belt.

5. Miami Heat

The Deal
February 13: The Heat traded forward Shawn Marion and guard Marcus Banks to the Toronto Raptors in exchange for forward-center Jermaine O'Neal and forward Jermario Moon.

The Heat traded away one scoring option and got two in return. The additions of O'Neal and Moon spread their offense, giving Dwyane Wade help on the perimeter and in the paint. The Heat could be a potential second-round match up for the Celtics. If O'Neal stays healthy, that could be a challenging 1-2 punch.

6. Philadelphia 76ers

The Deal
None

Last summer's signing of Elton Brand shook up the 76ers enough. Now that he is out for the season, the team actually has a better shot at making the playoffs. The Sixers are dangerous when they get out and run. Keep in mind that it took a last-second game-winner by Ray Allen for the Celtics to put them away this month.

7. Detroit Pistons

The Deal
November 4: The Pistons acquired guard Allen Iverson from the Denver Nuggets in exchange for guard Chauncey Billups, forward Antonio McDyess and center Cheikh Samb.

Given the success (or lack thereof) of the A.I. trade, the Pistons were better off staying put and looking ahead to offseason acquisitions. With Iverson, they are only a fraction of the team the Celtics saw in last season's Eastern Conference Finals. At the rate they are going, no one will see them in the playoffs.

8. Milwaukee Bucks

The Deal
February 5: The Bucks traded guard Tyronn Lue to the Orlando Magic in exchange for guard Keith Bogans.

On the day the Bucks traded away their back up point guard, starting PG Luke Ridnour went out   with a broken thumb. Ridnour has returned with the Bucks hanging on to the eighth spot by the skin of their teeth, winning six out of their last 10 games. But even if they do make it to the playoffs, staging an upset without leading scorer Michael Redd is not in the cards.

Jessica Camerato is a regular contributor to WEEI.com. She can be reached at jcamerato@weei.com.