SALT LAKE CITY — All has been incredibly quiet in Boston as the NBA trade deadline fast approaches. There have been names tossed around, but nothing that intimates a deal is coming.

The Celtics have assets to offer. That Brooklyn pick, of course, plus several other first-round picks, the expiring contract of David Lee, and younger players who can be thrown into deals.

While president of basketball operations Danny Ainge has been as active as usual in working the phones, trying to pry a superstar from a team looking to unload a contract, it’s been a difficult endeavor. The new boosted salary cap is stopping teams from offering up players on longer-term contracts because they will become reasonable deals once the cap inflates.

And if the Celtics acquire a standout player who will be a free agent this summer, there is no guarantee he will re-sign in Boston. Why would anyone?

The new salary cap has made the trading deadline more difficult because every team will have increased money this summer, meaning impending free agents will have more options.

And Ainge certainly isn’t going to sacrifice too much to get an Al Horford or a Dwight Howard for two months and the playoffs. If you are a free agent in their position — late 20s, early 30s — your plan is to seek one final mega-contract. The new salary cap is going to allow many players to be overpaid because even the frugal teams have to stay above the salary floor.

So the Celtics should chase a player who is under contract beyond this season and could be part of the team’s long-term future. Ainge doesn’t want just another complementary player; he has enough of those. He wants a superstar and should wait until one becomes available.

Or there is another option. The Celtics could play this season out, making a run at the Eastern Conference finals with the roster they have, and then make those improvements in the summer. That Brooklyn pick is unmovable unless a Blake Griffin-caliber player is available, which may occur this summer if the Clippers decide to shake up their roster (barring an NBA Finals run).

The summer may be the best opportunity to make a move. But there is something alluring about that Brooklyn pick. It could mean an opportunity for the Celtics to draft their next homegrown superstar.

Of course, that would depend on the Ping-Pong balls in the draft lottery, but why be hasty in dealing the Brooklyn pick when there is a possibility of Ben Simmons coming to Boston? And it’s not only Simmons who will be available. There is Duke’s Brandon Ingram, international standout Dragan Bender, and Providence point guard whiz Kris Dunn.

So the risk is rather high to offer that pick for a player who may not view Boston as a permanent home. The Celtics’ rebuild has transpired faster than expected, but Ainge still needs to show patience. He reiterated that this team is not of championship-caliber — true — but there aren’t many NBA teams that are.

The Warriors had to be patient with their homegrown players — Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Harrison Barnes, Draymond Green — before they combined into a juggernaut. The Spurs have featured homegrown players as a core of their title teams for the past 16 years.

San Antonio’s situation is similar to that of the Celtics. Until last summer with LaMarcus Aldridge, the Spurs hadn’t been able to attract a major free agent. So they kept their core together, added a draft-night acquisition gem in Kawhi Leonard, and then signed Aldridge with the lure of making a championship run.

Free agency this summer could bring the same success for the Celtics. Players around the league have lauded Boston for its togetherness, its ability to play consistently hard, and the coaching acumen of Brad Stevens. It will be an attractive team to join.

So why would Ainge break up that core potentially for a rental? He wouldn’t. Remember, he wasn’t going to make a deal this time last year until Isaiah Thomas — a player he coveted for years and called during the midnight chase of the opening night of free agency — became available.

Patience and confidence in the system are the two best attributes Ainge can display right now. Take calls from other clubs. Listen to their pitches. But hold on to the Brooklyn pick, keep the core together, and make the right move for the long term.

The Celtics are closer to getting that sought-after superstar than many of their faithful believe. Just ask players around the league about Boston; the consensus is that it is a franchise on the rise with a coach who maximizes the potential of his players.

The Celtics’ stock is soaring, and it’s up to Ainge to allow his franchise to flourish without toying with the momentum. The best deal could be the one Ainge doesn’t make.

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