In a stunning move that has sent shockwaves through the NBA, Austin Ainge, a longtime Boston Celtics executive, has been named the new president of basketball operations for the Utah Jazz, following in the footsteps of his father, Danny Ainge, who has served as the Jazz’s CEO since 2021.
Austin Ainge, who spent the last 14 years in the Celtics’ front office, including the past six as assistant general manager, was officially hired by Utah on Monday. The announcement marks a significant career milestone for the younger Ainge, who is stepping out of his father’s shadow to lead an NBA franchise.
“We’re absolutely thrilled to welcome Austin Ainge as our new president of basketball operations,” Jazz team governor Ryan Smith said in a statement. “Austin is one of the brightest minds in the NBA — his 17 years with the Celtics have given him incredible insight into every part of an organization.”
A Family Legacy in Basketball
The Ainge family is no stranger to the NBA spotlight. Danny Ainge, a Celtics legend, played for the team from 1981 to 1989, contributing to two NBA championships. He later served as Boston’s executive director of basketball operations from 2003 to 2021, earning the NBA’s Executive of the Year award during the Celtics’ 2008 championship season. Austin joined the Celtics in 2011, initially hired by his father as director of player personnel, before rising through the ranks.
Austin, a former BYU standout who played four seasons for the Cougars from 2002 to 2007, now takes on the challenge of turning around a Jazz franchise that has struggled in recent years. The move comes at a pivotal time for Boston, which is grappling with a projected payroll exceeding $220 million and a potential luxury tax bill pushing team commitments close to $500 million next season. The Celtics are also dealing with the fallout of a surprising second-round playoff exit to the New York Knicks and the loss of star Jayson Tatum to a significant Achilles injury.
Why Utah? A New Chapter for Austin Ainge
Austin Ainge’s decision to leave Boston for Utah represents a natural progression in his career. “Kind of done a lot in Boston and we’ve had a lot of success over the years, and the chance to run my own team is a big part of it,” Ainge told the Globe’s Adam Himmelsbach. “And the Jazz have a lot of potential, man. It’s a lot of work, but a lot of potential.”
The Jazz are coming off a historically poor 2024-25 season, finishing with a franchise-worst 17-65 record. Despite the struggles, the organization remains optimistic about its future. Utah recently signed head coach Will Hardy, a former Celtics assistant, to a six-year contract extension. Hardy, who owns an 85-161 record in three seasons with the Jazz, is seen as a key piece of the team’s rebuilding efforts.
Since Danny Ainge joined the Jazz as CEO in 2021, the team has been in a retooling phase, trading away All-Stars Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert. However, the roster still boasts promising talents like Lauri Markkanen and Colin Sexton, and the Jazz hold the No. 5 pick in the upcoming NBA Draft, providing Austin Ainge with valuable assets to shape the team’s future.
A New Era in Utah
Austin Ainge’s arrival signals the start of a new chapter for the Jazz, who are looking to rebound from their worst season in franchise history. With a blend of young talent, draft capital, and the leadership of both Ainges, Utah is poised to make strides in the competitive Western Conference. Meanwhile, Boston faces a period of uncertainty, with Ainge’s departure likely marking the first of several changes for the storied franchise.
As Austin Ainge steps into his new role, the basketball world will be watching closely to see if he can replicate the success he and his father achieved in Boston and lead the Jazz back to prominence.