Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here… highlighting the big story line. Because there’s nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.

After concluding the NBA Draft this week, the Boston Celtics still plan to chase top free-agent big men but are not optimistic about their chances of landing an established frontcourt star, according to sources within the organization.

This summer’s free-agent class is stocked with difference-making bigs, including unrestricted free agents Marc Gasol, Kevin Love, DeAndre Jordan and LaMarcus Aldridge. Based on competition from those players’ current teams, plus suitors more ready to contend for a title now, the Celtics could need to make quite a pitch.

MassLive: Celtics not optimistic about landing a star free agent big man

If we’re being realistic, Marc Gasol is probably staying in Memphis where he’s got a really good thing going. He just fits there, and that team is in the midst of a nice run as a contender. The Clippers need DeAndre Jordan and will probably keep him.

That leaves LaMarcus Aldridge and Kevin Love.

Love may very well stay in Cleveland, but he’s going to test the market. The Celtics had their big flirtation with him last season, but they couldn’t match the Cavs offer once Cleveland lucked out and got the top pick. The Celtics can offer a refuge from LeBron James and the storm that surrounds playing with him, but Cleveland can offer playing with LeBron James, and if you learn how to suck it up and live with it, you see how far he can take you. Also, Cleveland can offer a 5-year deal, which is a commitment Love has never gotten yet. And while I won’t call Love “injury prone,” random, unrelated injuries do seem to find him somehow, so the comfort of a 5th year might be extra appealing. If I’m handicapping this process, I’m putting Cleveland in the lead to re-sign

Aldridge is the closest to leaving, but he’s a Dallas native being pursued hard by the Mavericks and Spurs with Houston maneuvering to get in on the action. From Aldridge’s perspective, when you see things like Tim Duncan taking a lot less money so you can get a lot more… that’s an impressive selling point. Frankly, the Celtics can’t really compete with the Spurs right now when it comes to selling a free agent on the franchise. Not only do you have the same stable ownership, great coach, and winning tradition, but Texas is a tax-free state that means more money in your pocket.

Making the free agent pitch that much worse is the lack of an impact move in the draft.  Terry Rozier isn’t moving the needle when it comes to luring guys who are looking to win now (unless you’re Damian Lillard).

The Celtics are going to be aggressive in free agency… we know that. The problem for the team this season is while they made that crazy run to the playoffs, their most marketable asset to free agents is still their coach and culture rather than the tangible “look at how close we are” type of team that allows you to appeal to a player’s ego and make him think “I’m the missing piece.”

So I believe Jay King’s sources that downplay the Celtics expectations. I think this summer is where the Tobias Harris type players are brought into Boston to upgrade the supporting talent. The best-case scenario this summer, in my opinion, is to build a team that’s “one piece away” and then lure the big name after that. As Brooklyn’s picks fall into focus next year, the Celtics will have more of a chance to get those kinds of players.

Just keep in mind how aggressive teams were to move up in the draft this year. Brooklyn’s pick next year is unprotected, so if that lands in the top 5, the Celtics will now be able to either (a) finally draft a big-time player if one is available or (b) trade out of that spot with a team ditching quality vets and rebuilding.

I could be wrong. Maybe Danny Ainge comes up with a pitch so enticing that someone wants to get in on the ground floor and become the reason to attract the supporting talent. It’s not out of the question. It’s certainly possible. I just don’t think that’s the likely scenario.

Related links:  ESPN Boston: Roster reset: We’re on to free agency

Page 2: Celtics start the process of keeping Jae Crowder

The Celtics, who have made the re-signing of Jae Crowder a priority once free agency starts on July 1, have completed the paperwork for a $1.1 million qualifying offer to the small forward. The deadline is today.

Crowder, in turn, also desires a return, though based on his improvement with the Celtics over the second half of last season, it will be interesting to see how much his market begins to develop later this week.

Boston Herald

Crowder is one of those important support guys. His offense needs to improve, but I don’t think that will be a problem. That’s a matter of hard work in the offseason to make his long-range shooting more consistent.

Defensively, though, we’ve seen Crowder make a huge impact and change the momentum in many games this past season. Assuming some team doesn’t come in and vastly overpay for him, I think this is something the Celtics will wrap up quickly.

And Finally…

After Jahlil Okafor was drafted by the Sixers, he did the obligatory “hey, you were just drafted how do you feel?” interview. His response was basically a less-than-enthused “I’m in the NBA, so it’s a dream come true” that was lacking any real excitement for his new team.

That’s my interpretation of it, anyway. I’ve been wrong about these things before, so maybe he really is happy to be part of the Sixers. Let’s check in on his introduction…

Oh yeah, that’s going to go REAAALLLL well in Philly.

It won’t be long before trade rumors start. I’m sure Danny Ainge is getting his offers ready.

The rest of the links:

Globe: Grading each team’s draft class  |  Herald: One time reluctant Celtic sees great opportunity in its growth  |  CSNNE:  Pierce to opt out, become a free agent  |  MassLive: Holmes added to summer league roster