The NBA’s 2024 trade deadline has come and gone, and with it the ability to make trades to improve the Boston Celtics’ roster. But Boston picked up Xavier Tillman, Sr. and Jaden Springer ahead of the deadline to bolster their deep rotation before the 2024 postseason arrives.

The league around the Celtics did not stand still, with several teams in the East also making moves to try to challenge Boston in the playoffs. On, in particular, may challenge the Celtics in ways they likely couldn’t have before. Thankfully, Boston still has an open roster spot to add a buyout or unsigned prospect in case that mystery Eastern Conference ball club can give the Celtics more than we collectively expect.

To talk through the new order of the East and what Boston can do to fortify their spot atop it, the hosts of the CLNS Media “Celtics Lab” podcast took out a magnifying glass to scour the option available to the Celtics.

And to see if there are any threats who might spoil a return to the league’s biggest stage for Boston. Come for the news, stay for the surprise top target the crew collectively settles on in this week’s Lab.

The Celtics Lab podcast is brought to you by FanDuel.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

Story originally appeared on Celtics Wire