Celtics can’t spell ‘recruitment’ without IT

9:44 PM ET

NEW YORK — The Boston Celtics didn’t just choose Isaiah Thomas to represent the team at the 2016 NBA draft lottery because they believe he’s lucky. In the 15 months since he arrived in Boston, the 5-foot-9 point guard has elevated to both All-Star status and the on-court face of a young Celtics team clawing its way back toward the top of the Eastern Conference.

The Celtics sent Thomas to New York City on Tuesday night and told him not to return unless he brought back the No. 1 pick (after a double-dose of draft workouts on Wednesday, Celtics director of player personnel Austin Ainge playfully confirmed that Boston brass still let Thomas back into the facility after Boston emerged with the No. 3 selection). While the pingpong balls didn’t immediately help the Celtics’ quest to make a leap forward, Thomas logged some valuable screen time on Tuesday night.

His presence among the final three teams reminded any players watching from afar that this Boston team that won 48 games is set to add more talent, thanks in large part to its treasure trove of draft assets. The Celtics have the potential to add talent via free agency (room for as many as two max-contract players), trade, or the draft.

Thomas is the Celtics’ ambassador. He gushes about his situation in Boston — as this entry he penned for the Players Tribune confirms — and has admitted he’s in full-on recruitment mode this summer with hopes of doing his part to take Boston to another level.

He stressed that during a stop on his pre-lottery media tour. Sitting down with Sirius XM NBA radio, Thomas said, “I’m going to be really active [in recruiting]. [Celtics president of basketball operations] Danny [Ainge] wants me to be active. Whatever he needs me to do, I’m there. All he says is, ‘When I call, answer.’ I’m going to be …

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