Danny Ainge has a new job in the NBA

Author Alex Barth

December 15th, 2021 2:26 PM

Just over six months after he retired from his role as the president of basketball operations with the Boston Celtics, Danny Ainge is back in the NBA. On Wednesday, Ainge joined the Utah Jazz as an alternate governor and CEO. The news was first reported by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

Ainge, who had held the role since 2003, was named the NBA Executive of the Year in 2008 for assembling the Celtics’ Big Three of Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Ray Allen. That team went on to win the NBA Finals. Ainge’s legacy in Boston also includes the 2013 with the Brooklyn Nets, in which he went Pierce and Garnett to Brooklyn in exchange for multiple future first-round picks that he then used to select Jayson Tatum and trade for Kyrie Irving.

“I trust my instincts, and my instincts told me a couple months ago that it was time for me to move on,” Ainge said at his Celtics retirement press conference back in January. “That’s what is best for us. That’s what’s best for the Celtics.”

“For the record, Danny came and said it’s his time. It’s completely his decision with no support whatsoever from ownership in making that decision,” Celtics owner Wyc Grousbeck added at the time. “No support was offered except for wishing him the best once it became clear that was his decision.”

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  However, Ainge's mindset seemed to have shifted in recent months. "I’m not closing the book on other opportunities but they'd have to be the right situation," he told NBC Sports Boston's Chris Forsburg last week. "I’d have to be working with the right people, in the right role. I don't want to get back into 18-hour days. I don't think that's in anybody’s best interest, for that matter. I know how much work it takes to be good at the job. And, at the same time, I have 40 years of experience in the NBA. And I think I have a lot to offer some team that might see me as a helper to people in the organization. But, yeah, just depending on what the role is."
  
  Ainge joins a Utah team that is currently in third place in the Western Conference with a 19-7 record, riding a seven-game winning streak. The Jazz are led by 25-year-old superstar Donovan Mitchell, and also feature reigning Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert and veteran All-Star point guard Mike Conley Jr. Last season, the Jazz finished with the best record in the Western Conference, but were eliminated by the Clippers in the conference semifinals.
  
  There is a personal connection to the team for Ainge as well. Following his retirement from the Celtics, Ainge had been living in Utah. He played his college basketball in the state at BYU.
  
  The Celtics already played the Jazz once this year, losing in Utah 137-130 in early December. Their next meeting is scheduled for March 23 in Boston. Whether or not Ainge will attend that game remains to be seen.

Click here for 98.5 The Sports Hub’s complete coverage of the Celtics.

Alex Barth is a writer and digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Thoughts? Comments? Questions? Looking for a podcast guest? Let him know on Twitter @RealAlexBarth or via email at abarth@985TheSportsHub.com.

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Author Alex Barth

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Boston Celtics,celtics,Danny Ainge,NBA,Utah Jazz