BOSTON -- Kelly Olynyk understands the Boston Celtics' salary-cap situation will loom over his restricted free agency this summer, but said he will not worry about how the team's pursuit of top targets could impact his future.

"It is what it is," Olynyk said Thursday afternoon after appearing at a Shamrock Foundation carnival for students who achieved perfect attendance throughout the school year, boosted their grades considerably or won one of the Celtics' annual writing or art contests. "I love that we have so much that can go on. (Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge has) put our team in a position where that's the case, and that's why we were No. 1 in the East, that's why we're still trending upwards. And hopefully we can do something this summer that keeps us trending that way."

That optimism glosses over the fact that any big-time signing could jeopardize Olynyk's future in Boston. Because of what it would take to achieve maximum cap space, the Celtics could need to at least seriously consider renouncing Olynyk's rights if they do land a commitment from a free agent like Gordon Hayward. It's possible Boston could clear the money in other ways and hold onto Olynyk, but the team will need to make roster sacrifices, one way or another, to fit a top free agent.

CelticsHub's Ryan Bernardoni recently broke down some ways Boston could get to max cap space, assuming the cap comes in at the latest projection. Even if the Celtics renounce all their unrestricted free agents (Amir Johnson, Jonas Jerebko, Gerald Green and James Young), every path involves losing quality players:

The numbers I screwed up before were in Options 2 and 6 (fixed here). I miscounted roster spots originally. pic.twitter.com/Gy99S8raz5 — Ryan Bernardoni F.C. 🔴 (@dangercart) May 31, 2017

Because of all the moving parts, Olynyk's situation is complicated. The Celtics will have the option to match any offer he receives, but will need to make some difficult roster choices if they hit a home run on the free-agent market.

It's obvious the Celtics need more talent to compete for a championship. They got waxed in the Eastern Conference Finals by the Cleveland Cavaliers, who now trail the Golden State Warriors 3-0 in the Finals. Given the Warriors' dominance, the current NBA landscape could be intimidating to teams with hopes of breaking through.

"We didn't have Isaiah (Thomas), we weren't at full strength, we were a little beat down (against the Cavaliers), but the Warriors are a good team, the Cavs are a good team," Olynyk said. "I think they should have gotten that one last night. It's how the cookie crumbles, a tough game. But everybody's trying to get on (Golden State's) level. That's what you're striving toward, that's what you're building for, and that's what you're working for every day."

Though restricted free agency can be unpredictable by nature, Olynyk could be looking at a payday of $10-12 million per season, according to sources, and maybe more. There's real value in a shooting center, and Olynyk can space the floor as well as almost any 7-footer. He also finished an elite 75.4 percent of shots from 0-3 feet, according to Basketball-Reference.com, while establishing a career high with 60.3-percent true shooting. Though not the most physical big man alive, Olynyk does a lot to help a team.

He just doesn't know yet which team he'll be helping next year.

"Just control what you can control," said Olynyk, who has voiced that he would like to stay in Boston. "Whatever happens, happens. However the cookie crumbles, it does. But you just control what you can control. You can't worry about things that aren't in your control."

"Just getting better. Getting better as a player every single day, physically, mentally, studying the game, whatever it is. But just trying to get better every single day."

Additional notes:

-- When the topic of Markelle Fultz's workout came up, Olynyk expressed interest in learning how the possible No. 1 pick performed in front of the Celtics brass earlier this week. Olynyk was away from the Boston area during Fultz's visit.

-- At the carnival, Olynyk walked around taking pictures with students and participating in children's games, as you can see here:

"I think it's phenomenal," Olynyk said. "I think it's great for the kids. It was fun for me, so I imagine what it would be like for them. But just to show them their hard work, dedication and sacrifice pays off, that's what life is about. They'll be able to carry that through as long as they live, in anything they do, whether it's school, work, sports, management. Whatever it is, they'll be able to relay that message to friends, family .. It's really special to know that stuff works."

Impressively, Olynyk claimed he never skipped a college class once except for excused basketball conflicts.