As an organization that has overachieved this season, playing in a conference where the second or third seed is attainable, the Celtics have some decisions to ponder in the next two weeks.

They have assets, younger players attractive on manageable contracts that are attractive to teams, as well as those draft picks, all those draft picks.

So, president of basketball operations Danny Ainge has to decide how much to invest into this season. Does he acquire a star-caliber player — perhaps an impending free agent who will leave this summer — to boost their chances of facing the Cavaliers in the East finals? Or does Trader Danny keep the assets in his pocket, allowing this roster to reach whatever potential it has, then waiting for draft night and free agency to procure a superstar?

There are arguments on both sides, but the Celtics should wait for the right deal before sacrificing their assets just to make news. There has been speculation that the Celtics have had talks with the Rockets about center Dwight Howard, who can opt out of his contract this summer and enter free agency — again.

Howard is 60 percent of the game-changing player he once was, but with an inflated salary cap he will demand potentially a four-year, $100 million deal in free agency. So, unless the Celtics are willing to pay that price for a 30-year-old with achy knees and a bad back, they should pass.

And the Rockets aren’t going to part with Howard without getting an attractive package in return. They would rather allow Howard to walk and gain the cap space to chase a superstar such as Kevin Durant.

The Celtics are a talented team with several emerging players, ones that could be included in a deal. But Ainge is consumed with star power. He doesn’t want role players. He’s got enough of those. His mission is to bring the next franchise-defining player to Boston.

And if the Feb. 18 trade deadline can’t present an opportunity to seriously upgrade, then Ainge should refrain from making a deal for a player who is no better than ones the Celtics already have.

When Ainge decided to rebuild, and began by trading Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce to the Nets, he filled the roster with prospects without the services of a premium draft pick. Ainge then added Jae Crowder, Isaiah Thomas, and Evan Turner, while Marcus Smart, Avery Bradley, Jared Sullinger, and Kelly Olynyk have improved.

They have turned into a contender in the conference, far short of the talent level of the Cavaliers but formidable enough for a deep playoff run. So, if it won’t cost Ainge any commodities, why not let this bunch make a run? And if the expiring contract of David Lee can result in adding a player, that’s house money.

Lee sounded like a grand idea when he was acquired in July. He was intended to be a major upgrade at power forward/center, but he can no longer finish at the rim as he did in his prime, and he is a defensive liability. Ainge didn’t acquire Lee to re-sign him this summer. Lee has been transformed into a trade chip, where an interested team could use Lee’s guile and experience, and also gain cap space when his contract expires.

Ainge told the Globe last month that he is open to fielding calls on trades, as he should be. There could a desperate team looking to unload an attractive player without taking away the Nets’ first-round pick, which the Celtics own. The Celtics should not trade that pick — potentially a top-three selection — unless the return is an All-Star.

Ainge’s history tells us he’s going to make a move. But the trades he has made in the past few years have been more purposeful since the doomed Kendrick Perkins-for-Jeff Green deal. Ainge acquired Crowder as a throw-in for Rajon Rondo.

Ainge seized an opportunity to acquire the long sought-after Thomas from Phoenix. He nabbed Jonas Jerebko for Tayshaun Prince. All purposeful deals. All players who are in their rotation. Ainge is beyond the stage of taking major chances because the Celtics are a team on the rise.

The lure of playing for Brad Stevens, in a system that emphasizes ball movement and a quicker pace, will attract a notable free agent.

Ainge cannot allow impatience to get the best of him in the next two weeks. Howard isn’t the answer. Maybe he was five years ago.

It won’t be easy for the Celtics to find the rim protector or 3-pointer shooter they covet, but those players will be available to Ainge eventually. It’s best to let this group ride out the season, make a spirited playoff run, and then prepare for the draft and free agency to dramatically upgrade the roster. Barring a sweetheart deal falling into his lap, Ainge should bide his time and wait for the perfect opportunity to make the Celtics a title contender again. That time is coming.

Gary Washburn can be reached at gwashburn@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @GwashburnGlobe.