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.

For Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas, becoming an All-Star was a lifelong dream come true.

And if he has his way, the dream will be on a perpetual loop for many years to come.

“It was good to be out on the court with those other guys,” Thomas said. “And to experience Kobe’s last All-Star Game. Hopefully I can have some more weekends like this.”

The 5-foot-9 guard has now had a taste of what it’s like to be among the league’s best following the West’s 196-173 win over the East.

Thomas vows to not be a one-hit wonder.

“I’m getting back again next year, no doubt,” said Thomas who had nine points. “Like I said, I want to make it an every year thing, something I get used to every February. I just have to keep working.”

CSNNE – Isaiah Thomas vows to be an All-Star again next year

Ever since arriving in Boston, it has been clear to Celtics fans that Isaiah Thomas thrives on doubt (real or perceived). Thomas feeds off of the questions that have dogged him since high school and takes great satisfaction in turning heads. It just so happens that as IT keeps proving doubters wrong, the Celtics reap the primary benefit of collecting Ws. So, if Thomas is already locked in on Charlotte 2017, that could not be better news for the Cs.

One last note on the ASG and Thomas as the season now pivots into the final 30-ish games or so before the playoffs: After two years of watching the All-Star festivities with no representatives from the Celtics, it was nice watching Thomas enjoy his time so much and a reminder that the Celtics are back — both in standings and in league-wide relevance.

Now, on to the “second half” of the season.

Related links: 

CSNNE – ‘All fun’ for Isaiah Thomas as West wins all-star game  |  Herald – Isaiah Thomas enjoys starry night

On page 2, Cs should ‘tread lightly’ at the deadline

The Celts will be very active in deal discussions as they seek to use their passel of assets to fetch a magnetic scorer or other such star. They will, of course, be very protective of the No. 1 pick they have coming from the Nets this season (as well as the one in 2018 and the right to change first round positions with Brooklyn next year), but everything in Danny Ainge’s window has a price. That means players, too. No one is untouchable.

The issue will be how far the Celts will go. We saw last June how Ainge kept throwing draft picks at Michael Jordan for the right to move up to the ninth position and select Justise Winslow, who went one place later to Miami.

The Celts caught their breath after that one and, while they still would have loved to leave the evening with Winslow, things may turn out better this way in the long run.

The belief here is that Ainge will be prudent this week. If another club believes it will not be able to keep a star in the fold, he will be there to offer players and picks to soothe the breakup.

But with so much in his pocket, Ainge must be careful not to overspend.

Surely he is familiar with the golf adage that you cannot win a tournament on Thursday or Friday — but you can lose one.

Herald – To-do list for Celtics stretch run

The rumor mill will churn feverishly over the next four days and will likely result in nothing more than a collection of “trade-buzz” stories never coming close to fruition.

The Celtics should not overpay for anything less than a surefire superstar that can put them on level with the Cavaliers in the East. If it does not move the needle that much, there’s no reason to break up the chemistry and results of this Celtics team. The Cs could then let this season and lottery night play out, evaluate performance and the collection of assets, and then make changes as needed this off-season.

If there’s a deal out there for a Ryan Anderson, Rudy Gay or Dwight Howard, I’m hoping the Cs do not make it.

The Cs and Boogie, though? He and IT sure seem like they’d welcome a reunion.

The rest of the links: Herald – Isaiah shares happy moment with Kobe