WALTHAM, Mass. -- ESPN Insider brought together five writers Monday to ponder how the Boston Celtics' 2016-17 season might play out. But we were left wondering how someone who is actually on the roster might answer the same questions. So before Monday's practice, ESPN.com posed the same five questions to All-Star point guard Isaiah Thomas:

1. Fact or Fiction: Al Horford is the star Boston's been looking for?

Thomas: "Fact. Four-time All-Star, it’s self-explanatory. He fits right in to what we want to do. He’s unselfish, he’s the ultimate pro. He’s the definition of Boston."

2. What's the biggest issue facing the Celtics this season?

Thomas: "Shooting. That’s probably the weakness I see. We have good shooters on this team, we just gotta be consistent with it. And continue to work on it. I think that’s probably our biggest weakness that we have."

3. Fact or Fiction: Isaiah Thomas will be part of Boston's next great team?

Thomas: "If it’s my decision, that’s a fact. That’s a fact for sure."

4. What trade would make the most sense for the Celtics?

Thomas: "Someone who can put the ball in the basket. A knockdown shooter would be what we need. I’m not saying anything against the guys that are on this team right now, because we have a talented group, but I think that is the most important thing we need. We need spacing, because we got a lot of guys that can create and attack the basket, but we definitely need spacing."

5. Fact or Fiction: Boston is Cleveland's biggest threat in the East?

Thomas: Fact. I wouldn't say no other way. I wouldn’t put any other team in that position, so that’s a fact."

And here's a bonus batch of questions that Thomas answered as we wait for the start of the new season:

You had another crazy summer, including being part of Boston's recruiting contingent that traveled to pitch Horford and Kevin Durant. You also took Professor Anita Elberse's MBA class at Harvard University. What was the most notable part of your summer?

Thomas: "Getting better. But there were a lot of things that were new to me, like the recruiting -- I’ve never been a part of the recruiting, other than in college. That was fun. Sitting in on classes at Harvard was amazing, that’s stuff that I’ve never done. And probably my best thing was getting to sit down with Allen Iverson, being able to talk to him and see how much he admires my game. That’s my idol on the court, so that was touching."

Iverson gave you a signed jersey. Where do you plan to display that?"

Thomas: "It’s back home. It’s in safe place where nobody can see it yet. Until I get it framed and put up, it’s in a safe place."

The chemistry on this team seems really good. From the outside, it seems like guys genuinely enjoy being around each other. Do you feel that way?

Thomas: "Yeah, everybody likes being around each other, not just on the court but off the court. Right now guys are really unselfish and want to just help. That’s the good thing about this team. Nobody has an ego. We’re in it for the long haul. We want to win and we want to win now. I think that says a lot about this team, and hopefully we can make that happen sooner rather than later."

Horford said the first unit really struggled at the start of camp ..."

Thomas: "Oh yeah. Guys were just being unselfish. Guys were passing up open shots trying to get others involved and, I guess, get everybody comfortable. Now, I think we’ve hit a pretty good rhythm in the first couple of preseason games to where we’re just trying to get the best shot possible for that unit and guys are making the right plays."

Are you surprised at all at how good Boston's first unit has looked in two preseason games together after all those bumps at the start of camp?

Thomas: "I’m not. Just because four guys have been together for a year already and then adding a guy like Al -- we don’t need to just throw it the post then clear out. He’s just fitting in where he can, and he’s going to be a big asset."

You mentioned in our little Insider questions that you expect to be part of Boston's next great team. You're extension-eligible after this season, but giving you more money might limit the team in pursuing big-name free agents. Have you thought about your future situation?

Thomas: "To be honest, I haven’t thought about it. I haven’t and that’s the honest answer. I feel like I would be selfish to think about that right now. When the time comes, we can weigh the options and see what they want to do, see what I’m able to do. First and foremost, it is about winning. And bringing the best talent we can to Boston. And trying to hang another banner up here."