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.

As of last night, there have been, according to several league sources, no bites, or even much of a nibble.

The rest of the NBA has yet to make an earnest move toward the most prominent Boston bait. Available veterans Tayshaun Prince, Brandon Bass and Marcus Thornton are still of interest to a number of teams, but the Celts and those clubs have yet to engage in anything remotely resembling a substantive discussion.

Herald: Danny Ainge dangling bait, but holding on to asking price

In separate telephone interviews with the Globe Tuesday afternoon, three NBA general managers indicated that Marcus Thornton and Brandon Bass, two veterans with expiring contracts, could be attractive options on the Celtics’ roster. But there are varying opinions about what it would be worth giving up to get them.

“They’re skilled players that can help teams in the playoffs, veteran players that know what it takes,” said one of the general managers, “so I think there’s value there.”

Said another GM, “In the right situation, maybe, but I don’t think they have that much value, to be honest. But there are some dumb teams out there, or some teams that don’t think long-term, so [the Celtics] might get what they want from a desperate team.

“I think if you’re a smart team, you’re not going to give up a good asset for a guy you know is going to be there for just 30 games.”

Globe: Deadline trade by Celtics wouldn’t surprise other GM’s

Everyone is in agreement: Brandon Bass and Marcus Thornton can help a team win games in the playoffs.

But…

As we’ve said many times before, GM’s, even the desperate and dumb ones, are not yet willing to take on that salary. But we’ve seen a lot happen in a short amount of time at the deadline before, so it wouldn’t be shocking to see the Celtics do something.  This post will publish more than 30 hours before the deadline, which is more than enough time for rumors to live and die multiple times.

Right now, Danny Ainge is holding firm, which is not surprising given his philosophy. In a really good, in-depth profile for NBA.com, Ainge explained it in more detail.

“We can’t force it,” Ainge says. “We can’t just wish it or force it to happen, because that’s when mistakes are made. I’ve seen people that took advantage of opportunities; and I’ve seen people that settled. It could be a matter of the stamina that we collectively have as an organization between management, ownership, coaching and so forth. Building a championship team, you need patience. And I’m patient. It’s my job to sell my owners and coaches on doing the right deals, and not just trying to find some shortcuts to success.”

Part of that patience is trusting in his own team, which is amazingly summed up here:

On the door to the basketball office is a large seal. Instead of CIA, it reads BIA. The motto reads, In Red We Trust.

“I’ll take our Basketball Intelligence Agency,” says Ainge with the same big boyish grin that he wore as a player, “over anybody’s in the league.”

Ainge and his team prepare as thoroughly as any team in the league. They have a set of values and criteria for their own, and other trade targets, and they’re uncompromising in those pursuits until a change in the landscape forces them to reevaluate. The Rondo trade is a prime example of that.

Does it mean they’re always right? Not at all. But it means they’re in a great position to take advantage of a tumultuous market. They’re in that position now, with guys who can be traded for assets, or who can walk away and give the Celtics cap space. They’re really in a no-lose situation with Bass and Thornton, so we’ll see how desperate and dumb some other teams get over the next 30 hours or so.

We still haven’t talked about Tayshaun Prince…

Page 2: Teams are ready to pounce on Prince when he’s bought out

As the Boston Celtics continue working to include forward Tayshaun Prince in a trade package, the organization plans to be accommodating with him on a contract buyout after the trade deadline should no deal emerge, league sources told Yahoo Sports.

As a free agent, Prince could become the most coveted player on the market this month – with the Los Angeles Clippers and Portland Trail Blazers promising to be strong contenders, league sources told Yahoo Sports. Prince is a native of Los Angeles.

Prince, 34, is still capable of delivering solid minutes off the bench for a contender. The balance of his $7.7 million expiring deal makes it hard for Boston to find short-term expiring contracts in return for Prince.

Yahoo: Clippers, Blazers eye Prince as potential buyout candidate

Ainge didn’t want to buy Prince out earlier because he wanted to see if Prince would bring some value in a trade. He still might, but the chances really are slim. Only a strapped team with no desire to pay the additional luxury taxes would make a trade for Prince at this point. Everyone else knows Prince may have even played his last game for the Celtics (they’re off until Friday night), so why give up anything for a guy you can sign outright by the weekend?

Prince has been a good soldier for the Celtics, and he’s set a really good example that I hope can live on with this team. I especially hope James Young took notes, and is able to see how Prince has managed to stick around and be effective for so long.

I really don’t think we’ll see Prince play for the Celtics again at this point. I assume the buyout number has been settled, and the team is just looking to see if he can be moved. By tomorrow night, I expect this to be resolved.

And Finally…

I wouldn’t count on Dragic in Green…

After informing the Phoenix Suns that Goran Dragic won’t re-sign an extension this summer, agent Bill Duffy delivered the Phoenix Suns a list of preferred trade destinations that includes the Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks and Miami Heat, league sources told Yahoo Sports.

The Indiana Pacers have maintained a consistent interest with Dragic, and their need for a point guard – and ability to be a contender with the return of Paul George – makes them a destination Dragic could possibly OK, league sources said.

Ranking those teams in order of potential playoff contention by adding Dragic, I’d say probably Miami should be first in line with the Knicks very close behind and the Lakers waaaaaaaay in the back.

Dragic turns 29 soon, which will make him 30 during next season’s playoff run. Not too old, but old enough to question whether you want to make a long-term commitment to a guy who relies a lot on his athleticism. Good for his agent for trying to maximize his current play into big money, but I’m weary. I can see a big drop-off in his production in the not-too-distant future.

However you feel, though, this trade deadline is going to be really interesting.

Related links:  MassLive: Rumors: Dragic tells Suns he won’t re-sign

The rest of the links:

CSNNE: Hawks latest to show interest in Ray Allen  |  Should Celtics aim for playoffs or lottery  |  Cousins, Lawson, Kanter not likely coming to Celtics  |  Celtics ready to pounce if Suns deal Isaiah Thomas  |  ESPN Boston:  Stevens will focus on reality, not rumors  |  Boston.com:  Reports, Celtics show interest in trading for Isaiah Thomas