Latest news with #Ainge
USA Today
09-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
On this day: Robert Parish, pick used for Kevin McHale traded for; Bird, Ainge drafted
On this day: Robert Parish, pick used for Kevin McHale traded for; Bird, Ainge drafted On this day in Boston Celtics history, President of Basketball Operations Red Auerbach pulled off one of the most lopsided trades in NBA history in 1980. Auerbach dealt a pair of first-round picks used to select big man Joe Barry Carroll and center Rickey Brown to the Golden State Warriors in exchange for big man Robert Parish and the draft pick used to select Kevin McHale. In one fell swoop, Boston's head honcho scooped up two-thirds of one of the greatest frontcourts ever assembled. Forward Larry Bird, who had already been drafted, completed the trio that win titles together in 1981, 1984, and 1986. It is also the anniversary of the 1978 NBA draft, in which the Celtics took three players of note. They selected small forward Jeff Judkins out of Utah with the 30th pick of the draft. Judkins played two seasons for Boston, averaging 7.3 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game before being drafted by the Dallas Mavericks in the 1980 NBA expansion draft. The Celtics also took shooting guard Freeman Williams out of Portland State with the eighth overall pick of the draft. Williams was immediately dealt with Kevin Kunnert, Kermit Washington, and Sidney Wicks to the (then) San Diego (now, Los Angeles) Clippers for Tiny Archibald, Marvin Barnes, Billy Knight, and draft assets. They also drafted a player you may have heard of -- forward Larry Bird. Bird was taken with the sixth pick of the draft despite still being enrolled in Indiana State University, exploiting a since-closed loophole in the Collective Bargaining Agreement to do it. He finished his final season at Indiana State before joining Boston for his Hall-of-Fame career that included three titles, 12 All-Star nods, 10 All-NBA teams, three Most Valuable Player Awards, and many other honors. The 1981 NBA draft also fell on this date, with the Celtics again taking three noteworthy players. The first was shooting guard Charles Bradley, a Wyoming standout, taken with the 23rd pick. Bradley played two seasons with Boston, averaging 3.3 points, 1.1 rebounds, and 0.5 assists per contest before being waived in October 1983. The Celtics took shooting guard Tracy Jackson out of Notre Dame with the 25th pick. Jackson played 11 games with Boston before having his contract sold to the Chicago Bulls. In those 11 games, he averaged 2.4 points, 1.1 boards, and 0.5 assists. The Celtics drafted shooting guard Danny Ainge -- formerly of BYU -- with the 31st pick. The move was a gamble since Ainge had already signed with Major League Baseball's Toronto Blue Jays. However, the move paid off big for Boston. Ainge won two titles with the team as a player which laid the groundwork for him to return later in life as an executive and win another in 2008.
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Austin Ainge leaving Boston Celtics to join Danny Ainge, Utah Jazz
The Celtics are losing a key member of their front office this offseason as assistant general manager Austin Ainge is leaving to join the Utah Jazz as their new president of basketball operations, a source confirmed to MassLive. ESPN was first to report Ainge's departure. Ainge, 43, has been with the Celtics' organization since 2011 after playing collegiately at BYU. He served as director of player personnel before rising to assistant general manager in the past decade. Advertisement Ainge is the son of Utah Jazz CEO of basketball operations Danny Ainge who stepped down as Celtics president of basketball operations in the summer of 2021 after an 18-year tenure in Boston's front office. Danny Ainge joined the Jazz in December 2021 as CEO of basketball operations and alternate governor. The Celtics enter an important offseason coming off a stellar four-year stretch where they made at least the East Finals every season. While they had a disappointing second-round exit to the Knicks this season, they still raised a banner with the 2024 title. The bill is due now as the Celtics will need to make trades this summer to shed salary off their payroll. Jayson Tatum's Achilles injury also changes the equation for the team in the short-term. For now, they lose a longtime fixture in Austin Ainge who has been with the organization for years now. So that'll be a different wrinkle as Brad Stevens and the front office navigate an important summer for the team's future. More Celtics content Read the original article on MassLive.
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Former BYU Basketball Star Takes New NBA Front Office Role
Former BYU Basketball Star Takes New NBA Front Office Role originally appeared on Athlon Sports. From the Marriott Center hardwood to the top of an NBA front office, Austin Ainge's rise is more than a basketball story, it's a full-circle homecoming. Advertisement The Utah Jazz announced Monday that Ainge, a BYU standout from 2002 to 2007, has been named the franchise's new President of Basketball Operations, placing the former Cougar captain in one of the league's most influential front office roles. For Cougar fans who remember Ainge's fierce leadership, sweet shooting stroke, and back-to-back NCAA tournament trips in 2006 and 2007, this moment is a testament to the long arc of his basketball journey. 'I have lived this my whole life, constantly studying teams, talent, chemistry and the selflessness necessary to win,' Ainge said in a statement. 'I couldn't be more excited about the bright future of this organization.' That 'whole life' includes 17 years with the Boston Celtics, where Ainge worked his way up from scout to assistant GM. Along the way, he helped construct title-contending rosters featuring Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Jrue Holiday, and Kristaps Porziņģis, building a deep reputation for elite talent evaluation. Advertisement Now, Ainge joins his father, Danny Ainge, CEO of the Jazz and another BYU basketball legend, to shape the next chapter of Utah basketball. Ryan Smith, Jazz co-owner, called the hire a 'game-changer,' praising Ainge's 'incredible insight into every part of an organization.' It's also a move that resonates deeply with the BYU community. Ainge is one of just three players in Cougar history to rack up over 1,000 points and 400 assists, and his court vision, both then and now is the stuff of legend. As the Jazz look to return to championship contention, Ainge will team with GM Justin Zanik and head coach Will Hardy, who was recently extended through 2031 to rebuild Utah into a serious Western Conference contender. Advertisement For BYU fans, it's another powerful reminder: Provo is a launchpad for greatness, and Austin Ainge is still making big plays, the only difference is now, it's from the front office. Related: AJ Dybantsa Makes Surprise Nike Appearance in Jamaica Related: BYU Basketball Builds Excitement With Major Schedule Announcements This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 3, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Jazz hire Austin Ainge as president of basketball operations
SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — The Utah Jazz have hired a new president of basketball operations… and the name may sound familiar. After 17 years with the Boston Celtics, Austin Ainge will join his father, Danny Ainge, in Utah. Advertisement 'We're absolutely thrilled to welcome Austin Ainge as our new president of basketball operations,' team governor Ryan Smith said. '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. I've known Austin for 15 years, and I've watched him grow into an accomplished, innovative, and strategic basketball executive who's ready to lead this organization.' After playing in 101 games over four seasons at BYU from 2003-2007, the now 43-year-old Ainge began his NBA career in 2008 as a scout for the Celtics. He would go on to coach Boston's G-League affiliate team for two seasons before joining the team's front office where he would serve for another 14 seasons. Jazz clinch worst record in franchise history Ainge was key in assembling multiple Celtics rosters, helping to identify the draft selections of Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, as well as the trade acquisitions of Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porzingis, and Derrick White. Advertisement 'This is an incredible opportunity to lead Utah Jazz basketball operations,' said Austin Ainge. 'I couldn't be more excited about the bright future of this organization. I look forward to partnering with Ryan and Ashley Smith and our other leaders within the Utah Jazz and will utilize my experience over the last 17 years building a championship-caliber organization. I have lived this my whole life, constantly studying teams, talent, chemistry and the selflessness necessary to win. I look forward to bringing that to Utah and am excited to give Jazz fans a lot to cheer about as we build our program back up.' Ainge worked under his father, and Utah Jazz CEO, Danny Ainge, for over a decade in the Boston Celtics. Danny Ainge left the Celtics' organization in 2021. Danny Ainge is remaining with the team as CEO, as is current general manager Justin Zanik. 'Austin is one of the most respected executives in the NBA because of his basketball prowess, experience, and work ethic and I am excited to partner with him on our shared goal of success for the Utah Jazz,' said Zanik. Jazz fall to #5 overall pick in NBA Draft Lottery Advertisement The Jazz are coming off its worst season in franchise history with just 17 wins during the 2024-25 season. Utah fell to the fifth pick in the NBA Draft Lottery. Utah's roster includes six recent first-round picks by the Jazz, and eight players under the age of 23. Ainge will be formally introduced at a press conference this afternoon. Latest headlines: Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
"I see it happen with Larry Bird more often than any player" - Danny Ainge hails Larry Bird as the most unstoppable scorer of his era
Throughout his illustrious NBA career, Larry Bird proved that even elite defenders couldn't decipher his unique style of play. He was renowned for his exceptional all-around abilities. Still, his remarkable scoring talent captivated both his teammates and fans alike. Former Boston Celtics guard Danny Ainge firmly believed that "Larry Legend" was the most consistent and unstoppable scorer of his era. For Ainge, there has been a wide array of prolific scorers, but nobody could get hot on the offensive end like Bird. Advertisement "It starts after hitting a few baskets, you know, you just get that feeling that you just can't miss," Ainge once explained. "The great players get it a lot more than the average players. I mean, I see it happen with Larry Bird more often than any other player in the league." Ainge on how Bird would fit in with today's NBA One of the ongoing debates among fans, analysts, and players centers around how NBA stars from past eras would perform in the current game landscape. It would always be a subjective matter, but for Ainge, the modern style of play would definitely be well-suited to Bird's skill set. Ainge is confident that if his former Celtics co-star played today, he would undoubtedly emerge as one of the most lethal and accurate 3-point shooters in the league. Danny's take was rooted in Bird's exceptional shooting ability, which he believes is perfectly aligned with the emphasis on outside shooting in modern-day basketball. Advertisement Furthermore, Ainge implied that the 6'9" forward's remarkable all-around game would enable him to compete effectively against the multi-talented players of today's game. With Bird's unique blend of shooting, passing, and basketball IQ, Ainge wouldn't be surprised if "The Hick from French Lick" would not only adapt to this era but would even thrive in it. "If Larry grew up in the world today, I'm pretty confident that he would be shooting nine or 10 3-point shots per game and shooting them at a very, very high clip," the former Celtics guard speculated. "Most of us would get hot, get in the zone for a game. Larry would get in the zone for a month. He would have these 35-point and 40-point games, just these long stretches of games where he was just on fire. He just was a great, great shooter." "He was just a great, great shooter who was also a good post-up player, a great passer, great midrange shooter, great left-handed shooter," Ainge further raved about Bird. "He was a great rebounder. He was just great in so many facets of the game on top of being such a brilliant player." Related: "I just got tired of hearing it and just thought it was best for me to move on" - Patrick Ewing admits he regrets leaving the Knicks out of spite Bird's consistency was on another level During his playing years, the three-time MVP earned a reputation for possessing an impressive and diverse set of attributes. Every time he laced up, it seemed as if there was virtually nothing he couldn't accomplish on the court. Yet, what truly elevated Bird's legacy to legendary status was his unbelievable consistency in scoring. Time and again, "Larry Legend" demonstrated not only his talent but also an unwavering ability to perform at an elite level on the offensive end. Be it 3-point shooting or attacking the basket, Celtics icon often got the results he desired. Related: "It'd be nice to be 7 foot" - Larry Bird feels honored to be compared to Dirk Nowitzki
