WALTHAM — The Celtics have constructed a team that can thrive thanks in part to its positional versatility. When players are capable of playing and defending multiple positions, the possibilities flow.

“We want them to be as interchangeable as possible,’’ coach Brad Stevens said.

For example, Boston’s power forwards generally know how to play the center spot, and vice versa. But in a perfect world, there will be even more options, and that is what this team is building toward.

“The ideal situation would be when [shooting guards] and [small forwards] could be in that situation, too, and vice versa,’’ Stevens said. “When your 5 can play the 3, or the 4 can play the 3, or whatever the case may be, now you’re completely interchangeable. That’s very, very unique.

“Obviously each team that was in that in mix of teams to win it last year could go to that, if necessary. Some more than others.’’

Stevens said such versatility was a reason the Celtics were so enamored with rookie forward Jaylen Brown, the No. 3 overall selection of this year’s draft. Brown is startlingly athletic and capable of matching up against players with different body types and skill sets.

But it is also true that he is just 19 years old and two days into his first training camp, so the Celtics will advance slowly.

“I think the biggest thing in playing the wing or playing the 4 is, how much do you want to throw on him right now in the first day of training camp?’’ Stevens said. “At some point, you’ve got an idea of everything that’s going on around you, but right now the biggest thing for all of our new guys — Jaylen, Al [Horford], Gerald [Green] — keep it as simple as possible so that you can be able to play basketball and do the things we need to do from a base standpoint.’’

Forward Jae Crowder, who has developed into an excellent and multi-faceted defender, agreed that in Brown’s case, it is best to focus on his primary position for starters.

“Just get the technique of the 3 position before we start talking about him moving to another position,’’ Crowder said. “He’s a rookie, and a lot has been thrown at him in just a day, so I don’t want him to overthink anything.

“I know Coach doesn’t want him to overthink, just react as much as possible. As time comes, I think he will be able to be a guy like myself who can switch and guard multiple people.’’

Long way to go

Nearly five months have passed since the Celtics held a full team practice, so their return to the court over the past two days has piqued curiosity about early impressions. But it is really too early for much of that.

“No overreaction from us,’’ Stevens said. “We’ve got a long way to go to build up through the details of what we need to do to be good. We had some good moments but as the play went along, the details waned, just because from a conditioning standpoint, and everything else. So we’ll see.

“We feel good about our direction, but we’re a long way away from winning an NBA game.’’

Guard Avery Bradley, for one, has been impressed by what he has seen so far.

“I’m happy with the progress we’ve made in the last two practices,’’ he said. “We were able to build on those. I’m liking how we’re looking.’’

Taking a toll

In addition to learning a new system after spending his first nine years with the Atlanta Hawks, Horford has to learn a new city. He knows how to get to the team’s practice facility and to TD Garden, but he has noticed that most trips in this city come at a cost. “A lot of tolls,’’ Horford said, smiling. “That’s different for sure.’’ . . . Celtics wing Gerald Green missed Wednesday’s two practices because of a mild hip flexor injury. He is expected to be sidelined for a few days, but Stevens said it is primarily for precautionary reasons.

Adam Himmelsbach can be reached at adam.himmelsbach@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @adamhimmelsbach.