It’s been less than a month since Danny Ainge decided to retire from his post as the Celtics’ president of basketball operations. But retirement may not be for the 62-year-old, as Ainge is reportedly ‘in play’ for the NBA’s most recent job opening.
It was reported by The Athletic’s Tony Jones on Sunday that Jazz vice president Dennis Lindsey was beginning to transition out of his role atop the organization, and that general manager Justin Zanik would basically jump up the ladder and take over the day-to-day duties of the organization.
But Lindsey’s transition out could essentially be Ainge’s door in, according to league sources that spoke to Jones.
League Sources: Danny Ainge is in play, but if he comes into the front office, it won't be to lead the front office. Justin Zanik is the guy
— Tony Jones (@Tjonesonthenba) June 28, 2021
Based on the way Jones talks about this being Zanik’s show, it would almost seem that any Ainge move to Utah would be as a senior advisor where he’s overseeing more big picture stuff than the day-to-day grind he handled during his run with Boston.
Speaking with the media earlier this month, Ainge cited his health and family as his reasons for retiring the Celtics, but also didn’t necessarily slam any doors shut when talking about any future plans outside of Boston.
“I don’t know what my future holds,” Ainge offered when asked about a job with another franchise. “I don’t have any plans. Right now my goal is to get Brad [Stevens] up to speed on the draft as like I said, our whole staff will be able to help and all that and and try to make this transition and get to put the Celtics in as good a place as we can be.”
Ainge, of course, has connections to Utah, as he was a collegiate standout at BYU. His son, Tanner, also lives in Utah and serves on Gov. Spencer Cox’s administration.
The Jazz, meanwhile, are coming off a 2020-21 campaign that saw them finish with a West-best 52-20 record, but ultimately come up short in their second-round series with the Clippers. It wouldn’t be as if Ainge would be walking into a nightmare, either, as Jazz have a solid foundation with Donovan Mitchell and 2021 Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert.
Ty Anderson is a writer and columnist for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Yell at him on Twitter: @_TyAnderson.
