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.

Free agent big man Greg Monroe told the New Orleans Advocate Saturday that the Celtics are among five teams that have expressed strong interest in his talents (the Knicks, Bucks, Lakers, and Trail Blazers the others). Monroe told the Advocate he expects to meet with each of those teams this week.

While Monroe ranks a bit below the cream of the big-man crop — a pack that’s highlighted by the likes of Marc Gasol, LaMarcus Aldridge, Kevin Love and DeAndre Jordan — he’s still an impact player with lust-worthy offensive talents that could give Boston a needed boost at a spot of obvious need.

The 25-year-old Monroe, the seventh overall pick in the 2010 draft, averaged 15.9 points and 10.2 rebounds in 69 games for the Detroit Pistons last season. Monroe thrives near the basket offensively and is relentless on the glass. Defensively, his advanced individual numbers were surprisingly adequate, suggesting he’s more capable than he’s given credit for at the end of the floor.

[…]

Multiple reports also indicated that Dallas forward Al-Farouq Aminu will visit the Celtics at the start of free agency. The 24-year-old Aminu is a defensive menace, but Boston’s interest might be dictated in part by its ability to quickly sign restricted free agent Jae Crowder.

ESPN Boston – Visitors bureau: Celtics must identify best guests

Back in March, Jackie MacMullan hypothesized that the Cs wouldn’t be major players in the race for top-tier free agents. She was right. Regardless of an  airport sighting here, or a Woj bomb there, the stark reality is that Boston isn’t in position to actually lure a star to the Garden. Sobering as that is, Danny Ainge can still upgrade this roster, and he should. Coming off a playoff appearance, the Cs are a young team on the rise. They’re more like the Pacers of 2011 or the Hawks of 2008, 8-seeds that had the cap-space and intriguing young players to get better, than they are like the current Toronto Raptors, a team that has maxed out on its talent and potential and is better served blowing it all up.

With that said, Ainge should be throwing money at the Monroe’s and Tobias Harris’  of the world in an effort to take a step forward this year. If all the Cs had was their own draft pick in 2016, I’d be all for the team taking a step back in an effort to find an impact player through the draft, but with loads of cap space, between 2-4 first rounders and with the cap about to sky-rocket after next off-season, it’s time to throw a hefty, short-term offer at a player like Monroe.

Here’s to hoping the Celtics don’t spend some of their money on Aminu, because that would probably infer that Jae Crowder is no longer an option.

Related Links: CSNNE – Free agent forward Al-Farouq Aminu will visit Boston Celtics

On Page 2, Rosters are hardly ever transformed through free agency

Rosters aren’t built in a night and even the quickest rebuilding projects take time, but we’re now into Year 3 of Ainge’s effort and there are real questions about where he goes from here. No one questions that Ainge nailed the first part of the process, trading veterans for picks and affordable players with untapped potential. The next part is much harder to pull off, especially for a team that is now stuck somewhere in the middle of the NBA landscape.

There are two other avenues for Ainge to explore this summer: free agency and trades. The Celtics have cap space for the first time in 20 years, which lends itself to a classic chicken-and-egg conundrum. They’ve never been a player in free agency because they haven’t had the cap flexibility, but Boston hasn’t exactly been a destination market either. Until they land a prized free agent there will be doubts about their ability to do so. The possibility of Kevin Love looms, but there will be stiff competition.

The trade market has historically been a much stronger play for most teams. Consider a list of the top 20 or so players in the league. Almost all of them arrived at their current franchises through the draft or a blockbuster trade. Only a handful of elite players have changed teams in free agency. LeBron James, Chris Bosh and Dwight Howard come to mind, and Howard was traded before he hit free agency.

SBNation – Sunday Shootaround: In  NBA draft, you can’t always get what you want

If the lead story upset you by shattering your visions of a top-tier big holding up a green jersey at a press conference at the Garden, you should sleep easy by realizing that free agency is rarely where a team makes a leap from middle-of-the-pack to contender. It’s equally promising and dismaying that the Celtics will be an attractive trade partners for a team with a disgruntled star, yet those trade situations are few and far between.

Midnight on July 1st is always an exciting time for an NBA fan, but the fact of the matter is, outside of a few Lebron James decisions, most big name players stay put. And if they do leave, it’s the same handful of teams/locations (Los Angeles, Texas, maybe NYC) that get in on the action.

And finally, stop me if you’ve heard this one: Sully’s getting in shape

Two months after the Celtics were eliminated from the playoffs, Sullinger looks healthy. He conducted a basketball camp last week in Kingston and revealed some of the major changes he has made.

Sullinger said he is working out in Houston with former NBA player and current workout coach and adviser John Lucas, and he has decided to make his own career decisions with less input from his father, Satch, who served as his AAU coach, and a guide throughout his early professional career.

Sullinger, 23, is beginning to take more control of his life. The key to his future NBA success is getting into better condition, to the point where he is able to produce more in fourth quarters without the concern of fatigue.

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What can Sullinger accomplish healthy and in shape? He won’t set his goals in numbers but realizes that he put up nearly 14 points and more than seven rebounds with a bad back and troublesome foot. There are nights Sullinger is relentless on the boards and a cannonball in the paint. Those nights just have to occur more often.

Boston Globe – Sunday Basketball Notes: Sullinger believes he’s ready to soar

If you asked me to make a decision today: Jared Sullinger, Kelly Olynyk – keep one, ditch one, I’m keeping Sully. I keep getting roped in by his obvious talent, feel for the game and basketball pedigree. I think he can shoot nearly as well as KO from the perimeter, is a better rebounder and is much better offensively in the post. At the same time, this has got to be Sully’s last chance to show he’s committed for the long haul of the NBA season.

Ditching his pops is a good start. Staying basketball focused in the off-season is another good sign. The draft was a disappointment, free agency won’t bring a bona-fide star and the odds of a franchise-changing trade are slim. It would be great if the biggest improvements to the roster came thanks to progress made by guys like Sully who are already on the roster.

Rest of the links: Boston Herald – Onetime reluctant Celtic sees great opportunity in its growth