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Eastern Conference: Roundup of deals

Sports Mole rounds up all of the business completed by teams in the Eastern Conference so far this summer.

The NBA season may not begin until October 28, but that hasn't stopped every team from being busy this summer as they look to strengthen their rosters ahead of the new campaign.

Below, Sports Mole takes a look at the business concluded by each franchise as the players prepare for their return to training in September.

Atlantic Division

Boston Celtics

Avery Bradley committed his future to Boston by signing a four-year contract with the franchise, but the future of Rajon Rondo remains uncertain, with reports suggesting that a trade could be possible in the near future as they look to avoid allowing one of their big names from becoming an unrestricted free agent next summer.

The Celtics did manage to add another point guard option to their roster, with Oklahoma State's Marcus Smart being selected with the sixth pick of the NBA Draft.

Brooklyn Nets

There have been two high-profile departures from the Barclays Center this summer as the Nets prepare to begin a new season with a fresh approach under Lionel Hollins, who has been drafted in as head coach to replace Jason Kidd following his move to the Milwaukee Bucks.

Paul Pierce's stay in Brooklyn came to an end after just one year as the 36-year-old forward elected to sign a two-year deal with the Washington Wizards.

New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony celebrates making a three-pointer against the Atlanta Hawks on January 27, 2013© Getty Images

New York Knicks

Derek Fisher elected to retire from playing to become New York's new head coach, and he received a big boost ahead of his first campaign as Carmelo Anthony rejected the advances of a number of teams to sign a new five-year contract.

The Knicks allowed Tyson Chandler and Raymond Felton to move to the Dallas Mavericks in a trade which saw them acquire Samuel Dalembert, Jose Calderon, Wayne Ellington and Shane Larkin.

Philadelphia 76ers

The 76ers have struggled to make an impact in the trade market so far this summer, but used their third pick the NBA Draft to select Joel Embid, who faces a battle to be fit for the new season due to a foot injury.

Toronto Raptors

The Raptors, who finished third in the Eastern Conference behind Indiana and Miami last season, signalled their intention to challenge in the playoffs once again as they secured the services of Kyle Lowry for another four years.

Brazilian forward Bruno Caboclo arrived from the Draft, while a trade was completed to bring Atlanta Hawks guard Lou Williams to Canada, with John Salmons going in the opposite direction.

Central Division

Chicago Bulls

The Bulls were seen as leading contenders in the race for Anthony, but his decision to remain in New York forced the franchise to pursue other targets.

Another high-profile free agent, Pau Gasol, moved to Chicago, while Nikola Mirotic has elected to leave Spain to begin his NBA career at the United Center.

Carlos Boozer was released via the amnesty clause in his contract, which allowed extra room in the cap space for Aaron Brooks to sign following his release from the Denver Nuggets.

Miami Heat forward LeBron James celebrates during the 2013 NBA Finals on June 20, 2013© Getty Images

Cleveland Cavaliers

LeBron James once again ensured that he would steal the headlines as the four-time MVP announced that he would be leaving the Miami Heat to re-sign with Cleveland. The Ohio native handed the Cavaliers a big boost with his decision, and the franchise quickly reacted to add more quality to their roster.

Kyrie Irving had agreed to a five-year extension before the arrival of James, while a deal was also completed to bring Mike Miller to the Quicken Loans Arena.

Cleveland used the first pick of the Draft to select Andrew Wiggins, but there have been suggestions that the 19-year-old could be used to persuade the Minnesota Timberwolves to trade Kevin Love.

Detroit Pistons

Stan van Gundy's side have been busy attracting free agents, with Jodie Meeks, DJ Augustin and Caron Butler all signing deals with the Pistons, but the future of forward Josh Smith remains uncertain as rumours of a trade to the Sacramento Kings gather pace.

Indiana Pacers

The Pacers have been dealt a cruel blow in their preparations for the new season, with Paul George facing a long spell out of action after suffering a double compound fracture in his leg on duty with the US squad.

George's injury means that the Pacers are short of players who can post big numbers offensively, and the franchise could now be forced into an unexpected trade involving other members of the roster.

Milwaukee Bucks

Milwaukee's fans will be hoping that Kidd can prevent the team from suffering throughout another disappointing campaign, and Jabari Parker, the second overall pick in the Draft, will be expected to take on a lot of responsibility.

Southeast Division

Atlanta Hawks

Thabo Sefolosha was acquired in a sign-and-trade deal, which also saw his Oklahoma City Thunder teammate Giorgos Printezis make the switch to Atlanta, in exchange for the rights to Sofoklis Schortsanitis.

Adreian Payne was selected with the 15th pick of the Draft after impressing in his two years at Michigan State.

Charlotte Hornets

It's been a big summer for the Hornets, who completed a deal to sign Lance Stephenson on a three-year deal following his departure from the Indiana Pacers, while also bringing in Marvin Williams, Brian Roberts and Noah Vonleh.

Despite appearing to be close to capturing Gordon Hayward, a potential move failed when the Utah Jazz matched their offer to keep the 24-year-old.

Chris Bosh #1 of the Miami Heat posts up Pau Gasol #16 of the Los Angeles Lakers during a game at American Airlines Arena on January 23, 2014© Getty Images

Miami Heat

James is irreplaceable for the Heat, but last season's finalists were able to soften the blow by persuading Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade to sign new contracts with the franchise.

Free agents Luol Deng, Josh McRoberts and Danny Granger all agreed to make the move to South Florida, with highly-rated point guard Shabazz Napier being selected in the Draft to provide competition for Mario Chalmers, who re-signed for a seventh season with Miami.

Orlando Magic

Jameer Nelson was waived earlier in the summer, allowing the point guard to sign with the Dallas Mavericks following a 10-year stay with the Magic.

Orlando reacted to the departure by signing Luke Ridnour and Devyn Marble, with reports suggesting that a move for former Detroit point guard Peyton Silva a strong possibility.

Washington Wizards

Experience has been the key word for Wizards coach Randy Wittman this summer as the franchise brought in Pierce from Brooklyn and persuaded Marcin Gortat to ignore interested teams to re-sign on a five-year deal.

DeJuan Blair has been acquired from the Mavericks in a sign-and-trade deal which saw the Magic give up the rights to Emir Preldzic.

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Chris Copeland #22 of the Indiana Pacers handles the ball against the Phoenix Suns during the NBA game at US Airways Center on January 22, 2014
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