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Brad Stevens expected to replace Danny Ainge as Celtics president of basketball ops

Not only is Danny Ainge stepping down as president of basketball operations, Brad Stevens is assuming Ainge’s role – and transitioning out of his role as head coach.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 25: Head coach Brad Stevens of the Boston Celtics looks on during the first half of Game Two of their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on May 25, 2021 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MAY 25: Head coach Brad Stevens of the Boston Celtics looks on during the first half of Game Two of their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on May 25, 2021 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

Sarah Stier/Getty Images

According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, the Boston Celtics are making a major shake-up in the front office and on the coaching staff. Not only is Danny Ainge stepping down as president of basketball operations, Brad Stevens is assuming Ainge's role - and transitioning out of his position as head coach. The Celtics officially announced the transition later Wednesday morning.

According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, the Celtics will immediately begin a search for a new head coach in the wake of Stevens' move to president of basketball ops and Ainge's expected departure.

Wojnarowski later reported via Twitter that Stevens was described as "worn down" as a coach since the NBA resumed the 2019-20 season in the "bubble" in Orlando, and "welcomed the chance to make the transition to the front office." One of Stevens' first acts as the Celtics' new president of basketball ops will be to identify his successor at head coach.

“I’m grateful to ownership and to Danny for trusting me with this opportunity,” Stevens said in a press release from the team. “I’m excited to tackle this new role, starting with a wide ranging and comprehensive search for our next head coach. I love the Celtics, and know the great honor and responsibility that comes with this job. I will give it everything I have to help us be in position to consistently compete for championships.”

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