The NBA trading deadline is now just hours away but let there be no doubt: the Celtics are losing what was substantial ground to the rest of the field.

On the surface, after all, the dismantling of the Brooklyn Nets might seem to be a good thing given that both Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant have been shipped to the Western Conference over the last week. The downside? Dallas and Phoenix are now regarded as legitimate championship threats – not necessarily in that order – meaning that the West is now virtually guaranteed to produce a bona fide championship threat in the Finals.

If you thought the Celtics were going to get to the Finals and face, say, Memphis, think again.

With the deadline approaching, here is a look at the moves that impacted the Celtics most significantly:

Kevin Durant

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – JANUARY 04: Kevin Durant #7 of the Brooklyn Nets high fives Yuta Watanabe #18 against the Chicago Bulls during the first half at United Center on January 04, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

The idea of Durant coming to the Celtics always seemed far-fetched, but his landing in Phoenix overnight changes the NBA landscape dramatically. Phoenix now has the second-best odds to win the championship according to some oddsmakers, and the trio of Durant, Devin Booker and Chris Paul warrants serious attention. Are the Suns better than the Celtics? Maybe. But regardless, the road to the championship just got more challenging – and remember, in the NBA, getting out of the conference isn’t the real goal – and the Suns aren’t the only potential hurdle.

Kyrie Irving

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 08: Kyrie Irving #2 of the Dallas Mavericks at Crypto.com Arena on February 08, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Has he become arguably the most despicable player in the NBA? Heck yes. But the tandem of Irving and Luka Doncic might be the best offensive duo in basket, even better than Durant and Irving might have been, largely because of Doncic’s playmaking. The combination of Doncic and Irving does raise some question for Dallas at the defensive end, but the Mavs are currently ranked seventh in the league in scoring defense. And while the Kyrie factor obviously means the Mavs could explode into a ball of fire at some point, it isn’t likely to happen over the balance of this season. In this case, this year, Durant and Irving are more dangerous apart than they are together.

Jakob Poetl

PORTLAND, OREGON – JANUARY 23: Jakob Poeltl #25 of the San Antonio Spurs looks on during the fourth quarter against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center on January 23, 2023 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

Feels like a big drop in talent from the above two, right? But it impacts the Celtics significantly. Poetl had been linked to the Celtics for some time, but he was traded last night to the Toronto Raptors. Still, this isn’t about Toronto as much as it is about Boston. Poetl is regarded as a solid defender and a big body who would have given the Celtics some depth behind Robert Williams as well as someone who can at least help body up people like Giannis Antetokounmpo. One longtime NBA evaluator thought Poetl “would help the Celtics.” Whether he helps Toronto is largely irrelevant.

Mo Bamba

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – JANUARY 30: Mo Bamba #11 of the Orlando Magic reacts during the second quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center on January 30, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)

This bears mentioning because as recently as yesterday, Bamba and Poetl were mentioned in the same breath as potential Celtics targets. But here’s what two longtime NBA talent evaluators texted yesterday about Bamba: The first? “Sucks.” The second? “Not a fan.” The point is that Poetl may have been the Celtics’ best option to find a backup big man. Now that is gone.

D’Angelo Russell

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JANUARY 25: D’Angelo Russell #0 of the Minnesota Timberwolves drives the ball over Jose Alvarado #15 of the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center on January 25, 2023 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

Admittedly, this move is of lesser concern, but it still bears watching. Are the Lakers a threat. Probably not. But if LeBron James and Anthony Davis ever start to click with one of the many third wheels they have tried on for size, the combination of the two is still worth keeping an eye on. Russell has now been traded four times in relatively young career, this time back to a Lakers team that originally drafted him before James signed with LA. In all probability, the Lakers are cannon fodder in the West – if they even make the playoffs. But in the NBA, any serious talent – like James and Davis – is always worth keeping an eye on.