The Rap Up: Evaluating the competition post-trade deadline

The NBA trade deadline has come and gone, and the Raptors stood pat deciding to roll out the current team for a deep playoff run. But with the rest of the East shaking things up, how will they affect Toronto?

Of the 11 trades that went down at the deadline, eight of them were from the Eastern Conference, and five of them could affect the playoff race that is to come. Here's a look at what opposing teams did.

Cleveland:

The Cavaliers shook things up and added Channing Frye from the Orlando Magic. Frye provides defense and perimeter shooting for a big man, and is a nice option at the 5 if the Cavs decide to play small ball in the playoffs against say... Golden State. Cleveland now has Kevin Love, Tristan Thompson and Frye to rotate at that 4-5 spot and only lost Anderson Varejao and Jared Cunningham in the deal, both being used sporadically anyways.

Boston: The Celtics were one of the most active teams at the deadline, yet they did not make a move. Mostly because Boston was looking for that big name to add to the squad, but Al Horford was off the block and the Cavs were not parting with Kevin Love. Much like the Raptors, the Celtics are alright with standing pat. Boston was one of the hottest teams in the league before the deadline, and crept up all the way to third in the Eastern Conference.

Washington:

The Wizards acquired disgruntled forward Markieff Morris minutes before the deadline. Morris' ceiling in this situation would be what Rashard Lewis was to Orlando's title run, and that's a risk to take if you're Washington. The Wizards controll Morris for another three seasons at a reasonable price tag. If Markieff can leave all his anger behind in Phoenix, the Wizards could have that starting forward they've been coveting since Antawn Jamison left town.

Atlanta: The Hawks were rumoured to become a seller at the deadline, but they opted to go for a couple of minor trades rather than blow up a team that went 60-22 last season. Al Horford and Jeff Teague were the names coming up in trade discussions, with Horford's expiring contract and Teague's lackluster play of late. But the Hawks decided to give this group another chance for the postseason.

Charlotte: The Hornets are sitting at seventh in the East as of right now, and made a good move at the deadline by adding Courtney Lee. With the loss of Michael Kidd-Gilchrist to a separated shoulder and Nicolas Batum's wavering health this year, adding a solid contributor in Lee should keep the ship steady enough to make a playoff run. If Al Jefferson can return and play to form, the Hornets have a good shot at making the postseason.

Detroit:

Man, the Pistons are going for it. They added a young starter with good potential in Tobias Harris on Tuesday, and came back to fill the bench with Donatas Motiejunas and Marcus Thornton. With those additions, the Pistons' core now ranges from age 19 to 26, and if Detroit can make a push for the playoffs with this roster, it looks like they could be set to make the second season for a while.

Chicago: The Bulls have been struggling of late, to say the least, and currently sit at eigth in the Eastern Conference playoff race. There were reports that the Bulls were shopping All-Star Pau Gasol at the deadline, with the Sacramento Kings the most interested party, but the Bulls didn't get a deal done. Chicago must be the most injury-riddled team in the league right now, with three key players in Joakim Noah, Jimmy Butler, and Nikola Mirotic out long term. Not to mention Derrick Rose's wavering health, who could sink the ship enitrely if he were to go down.

While the Raptors may not have made a move at the deadline, they still have a chance to add a solid contributor to the squad. There are several buyout candidates around the league that could be enticing, including David Lee from the Celtics, who was just waived Friday afternoon.

The race for the playoffs has begun in the East, but most of the teams will be fighting for the 6-11 seeds. If the Raptors keep to the form they have had in the first 50 plus games, they should be locked into a top two-three seed come playoff time.

One of these bottom feeders might end up being a first round matchup for the Raptors, and if a team like Washington makes it as a seventh seed coming back from 2.5 games out of the eighth seed, it would be a tough matchup for Toronto. The Wizards, Hornets, Pistons and Bulls all look like potential postseason opponents for the Raptors. Time will tell how the playoff picture will shape up.

More NBA coverage from Yahoo Canada Sports: