The Celtics are perfectly capable of pulling off one or more trades that would make them a more interesting regular-season rival for Cleveland, and even give themselves a puncher’s chance in any postseason series.

But those kind of moves would essentially be a fast-food fix and leave them undernourished for the long-term stay at the top that they seek. And president of basketball operations Danny Ainge seems profoundly unwilling to risk the latter for the former.

Multiple league sources continue to tell the Herald that while the Celts are actively seeking a top-tier player by tomorrow’s trade deadline (Jimmy Butler, Paul George, etc.), they would be satisfied using the first-round picks from the Nets this year and next in a longer-term (but potentially more lasting) build.

And there has been continued word that Ainge doesn’t want to give up his chance in the high-level free agent market unless the president of basketball operations can secure a franchise cornerstone player now or at the June draft.

In addition, as we’ll get to later here, they might already have a solution to one of their problems, which is influencing how the club acts now.

“I think a lot of teams have gone after Danny hoping to throw good veterans at him and hope that he’ll give up some of those big assets, but from everything I’ve seen and heard, he’s not doing that unless he gets a real star back,” one league exec said. “If Chicago or Indiana opens up for business, then I wouldn’t be surprised if Boston gets involved big. But I also wouldn’t be surprised if they sit tight or make a small move and wait for the draft if no one they really want is available.”

The word yesterday is that the Bulls and Pacers are not going to part with Butler or George, respectively. That could change at some point before the deadline, and if so, the Celtics would jump into the bidding. But those possibilities have not been looking good of late.

The same is the case with Detroit and center Andre Drummond. Most general managers believe the Pistons expressed a willingness to discuss him simply to gauge the marketplace. And his price tag would have been extremely high.

Drummond is second in the NBA in rebounding at 13.8, which makes him very attractive to the carom-deficient Celtics (28th on the boards). But as Ainge tries to piece together a roster for now and the future, and do so while managing each player’s fit within the salary cap, it’s important to remember what’s already under his control.

In other words, does it make sense to spend a lot now and tie up cap space for the future on an inside player when he might have such a big waiting in the wings?

There is every expectation that Ante Zizic, the No. 23 overall pick last June, will be a part of next season’s Celts. That he’ll be on a rookie contract is a bonus. There were questions whether the 6-foot-11 20-year-old could handle the move from Croatia to tougher competition in Turkey, but reports are more than encouraging.

We checked in with former Celtics player Gigi Datome, who is playing for another Turkish club, and, while there obviously is work still to be done, he believes Zizic will be ready to contribute in the NBA.

“He is a big body who moves well for his size,” Gigi said. “Not very quick lateral movements, but he runs the floor well, and he’s pretty quick on post moves. He has feeling for the game.”

Datome noted that Zizic’s new club, Darussafaka, is a solid Euroleague club coached by former Cavaliers leader David Blatt, and that Zizic “didn’t take too long to impact the team and to get into a new system. He plays hard and shows desire to compete. He has good feeling and position for offensive rebounds.

“I like him,” Gigi added. “He is very young, and usually big men develop later. He plays like an experienced player despite his young age. He is also reliable on the free throw line.”

Datome took into account the clear step up in class from the European game to the NBA but said, “I think he can be in the rotation. He can definitely play.”

The larger point here as it relates to the Celtics and what they might be willing to do this week and before the draft is that, while many have grown impatient and would like to see them cash in some of the assets for more immediate help, Ainge is evidently playing a different game.

So unless a trade this week makes sense for multiple seasons, or could set up another move that would, the Celtics seem fine with letting Thursday pass quietly, if necessary.