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.

There was strong word that if Prince wasn’t moved by the deadline that the Celtics would seek agreement with him on a buyout of this final year of his contract (he makes a bit more than $7.2 million).

But coach Brad Stevens has taken a strong liking to Prince, who had four points in 17 minutes in last night’s 100-99 win against the Nuggets. It’s fair to assume he may lobby to keep him on the squad the rest of the season if he is not traded.

Considering their rebuilding situation and the desire for a high draft pick, the Celts certainly don’t mind a few extra losses if they serve to enhance their position in next June’s dispersal.

But they have tried to keep away from the situation Philadelphia found itself in last season, where the 76ers went through a 26-game losing streak.

And there is also the need to develop the young players on hand, and the C’s believe it’s important to have that happen in an environment where the club is competitive. Stevens believes Prince can help in this regard, both with his talent and leadership.

Herald: Not necessarily another Green deal for Prince

This reminds me of the Seinfeld scene when he’s trying to switch dating from one girl to her roommate by suggesting a menage a trois.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6_pv_vRHKI]

I can picture Danny Ainge talking to Rich Gotham…

Gotham: “So… how’d it go with Tayshaun? Did you suggest that he actually play for us?”

Ainge: “Yep”

Gotham: “So.. what happened? He throw you out of his hotel room?”

Ainge: “No. He actually took it pretty well”

Gotham: “So, what happened?”

Ainge: “He’s INTO it.  Not only that. He just called me. He spoke to Brad… and he’s into it too”

This is where Ainge starts screaming “I’M NOT A TAYSHAUN GUY!”

The entire goal of getting Prince was to either flip him or buy him out to get yet another asset (Danny Ainge is trying to own an entire second round) or more cap space to rent out to other teams in unbalanced trades that gave the Celtics more cap room next year.

But there’s no real pressing need for the Celtics to buy him out. The Celtics current salary is just under $65 million. The only time it would become an issue is if the Celtics were to make some kind of unbalanced deal in which they acquired a player in the $12.9 million trade exception created by the Rondo deal. The Celtics would need to send some salary out to make sure they don’t hit the luxury tax, or get to negotiating a Prince buyout.

Buying Prince out would give the Celtics a few million in salary cap pad if they need it. Ainge can play around and see if that’s even necessary in the coming weeks as the trade deadline approaches. Meanwhile, a Stevens gets another veteran influence in the locker room to give the Celtics what the 76’ers don’t really have: people to mentor the younger guys through rough patches.

I’ve said this a million times, but talented young players can get into irreversibly bad habits if a bad situation lasts too long. I’m not sure what would have happened the past two games without some additional help from the vets, but I believe having strong veteran voices like Gerald Wallace and now Prince has an effect on players.

We’ll see how long it lasts, but keeping Prince isn’t a bad thing. I’m not worried about a couple of extra wins. I think those are good in the long run. And if Ainge needs the cap space, he’ll buckle and get what he can out of Prince to make his deal happen. For now, Stevens has someone else he can lean on as he tries to turn a bunch of kids into men on the court.

Page 2:  Klay Thompson scored 37 points last night.  In one quarter.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sc3m3BwfylA]

Thompson set a league record for the most points in a quarter Friday night, a thrilling 37-point third period that powered the Golden State Warriors to a 126-101 victory over the Sacramento Kings.

I was one of the luckiest NBA players ever to play with Michael Jordan, Tim Duncan, David Robinson and some of the greatest players ever,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. “As many spectacular things as Michael did, which he did nightly, I never saw him do that.”

Thompson finished with a career-high 52 points, pleasing 19,596 fans at rowdy Oracle Arena with a performance that will long be remembered in the basketball-loving Bay Area. The All-Star hopeful made all 13 shots, including a league-record nine from 3-point range in a quarter, and hit both of his free throws during a 12-minute span of pure basketball bliss.

“It was kind of a blur. I wish I could go back and enjoy it some more, but moments like that go by really fast,” Thompson said.

ESPN  

Hey, remember when everyone was calling the Warriors crazy for not giving up Klay Thompson in a deal for Kevin Love?

I wish I could have seen this live. I just watched that video, and I still can’t comprehend how someone gets so hot, he scores 37 points in 12 minutes of play. Can you imagine being a fan and watching that unfold in front of you?

Just amazing.

And Finally….

Kelly Olynyk’s sprained ankle could keep him out until past the All Star break. Like they said in the broadcast when it happened.. it’s never good when you see the bottom of a guy’s shoe when he’s standing up. Get healthy soon, Kelly.

Related links:  Herald: Ankle sends Olynyk home early

The rest of the links:

Herald:  Celtics go back-to-back  |  Celtics strike gold again, top Nuggets  |  CSNNE: Celtics evenness pays off again  |  Bradley outshines Jameer Nelson  |  Bradley helps hold off Nuggets  |  ESPN Boston: Does Bradley have the clutch gene?  |  Mass Live: Clutch Bradley benefits from nice execution