WALTHAM -- Boston Celtics general manager Danny Ainge is amused by the whispers around Boston, which escalated continuously the longer the Celtics stayed alive on their unlikely run to the Eastern Conference Finals.

The Celtics, the reasoning went, had Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Terry Rozier, who were all capable of bringing the team within a win of the Finals. Did they even need their two superstars, acquired via trade and free agency?

According to Ainge (and also common sense), yes.

"I get a kick out of the fact that everywhere I go, people don't think we need Kyrie or need Gordon Hayward," Ainge said at the Celtics' exit interviews on Monday. "I have a much longer memory and remember how great those guys were and what an effort it took us to get them. I also remember how great they are and how young they are still. So we need Gordon and Kyrie, absolutely need them. If this playoff run and all the series of the playoffs didn't show that, then I don't know what does. We were able to win some games and we were able to fight through some tough battles, but we're much, much better with Kyrie and Gordon."

That's a frightening proposition for the rest of the Eastern Conference. The Celtics won the first two games of the conference finals, and took down the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 5, pushing LeBron James to the brink of elimination. With additional responsibility, Tatum and Jaylen Brown grew and thrived, turning themselves into one of the most coveted wing duos in the league.

But as the Celtics look to the future, it's pretty clear how a score-first point guard with big-game experience could make a huge difference, or where a versatile two-way wing with an excellent 3-point shot and the ability to handle the ball might turn them from a fun story into a juggernaut.

That transformation could happen next year. The Celtics expect Kyrie Irving to be back (he wasn't on the bench watching Game 7 due to nasal surgery, according to Ainge). Hayward, meanwhile, continues to improve. Ainge said he is finally able to start playing a little actual basketball.

"Gordon is progressing well," Ainge said. "He's on the court now, finally doing a little bit of competition, like just 1-on-1. And he'll progress along that line slowly. We think that he'll be playing basketball in the next couple months."

"The next couple of months" is a vague timeline, but it's a good one for the Celtics. Presumably, Hayward and Irving will both be back for training camp. From there, the Celtics can pick up and continue where they left off last season. The only difference? The young players now know they can carry the team with the stars watching from the sideline.

Watching from the sideline wasn't easy for Hayward and Irving, according to Ainge, but it could pay big dividends for the future Celtics.

"I think it was really hard," Ainge said. "I don't think any of us can really understand. That never really happened to me as a player, so I'm not sure I understand, but I could see it in their eyes all year when Gordon was out. It hurts to not be able to play, especially when the team was doing so well, and same thing with Kyrie. Those guys would give anything to be out there and play. I'm really excited about their motivation and how hard they've already been in their rehab. I think they're going to come back in great condition and great shape next year."