The Boston Celtics created roster flexibility at the trade deadline.Boston made four trades before Thursday’s deadline, clearing salary and dropping below the luxury tax line. The moves left the Celtics with three open standard-contract roster spots and some breathing room under the tax.

Several contending teams in the Eastern Conference are reportedly expected to take varying approaches to the Feb. 5 NBA trade deadline.

The Celtics had an active trade deadline this week, acquiring some depth at the big man position with Nikola Vucevic in hopes of strengthening their roster balance for a playoff push. However, Brad Stevens still has work to do in the coming days,

Boston stayed busy and two more moves materialized in the hours before the deadline, with Boston sending Chris Boucher to Utah and Josh Minott to Brooklyn. Brad Stevens pulled off one more move at the buzzer, sending Xavier Tillman to Charlotte to get the Celtics under the luxury-tax threshold.

Jake Fischer: While the last 48 hours have certainly felt like Cleveland is in the driver’s seat for Keon Ellis, the Lakers, Spurs and Celtics are among other playoff teams still looking to add the Kings guard, sources say.

The Celtics continued tweaking their roster ahead of the 3 p.m. trade deadline Thursday. This time, they moved Chris Boucher to the Jazz as part of a cost-cutting move. That deal follows the Anfernee Simons trade where the Celtics acquired Nikola Vucevic from the Bulls.