Austin Ainge joins Utah Jazz as president of basketball operations, reuniting with father Danny
Austin Ainge, son of team CEO Danny Ainge and a former basketball player himself, has left the Celtics organization to become the Utah Jazz’s new president of basketball operations.
Justin Zanik will stay on as the team’s general manager, working alongside the younger Ainge in the front office.
Jazz governor Ryan Smith believes the two executives will complement each other perfectly.
“We’re absolutely thrilled to welcome Austin Ainge as our new president of basketball operations,” Smith said in a team 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.”
Smith didn’t hide his enthusiasm when explaining why he pursued Austin for the position.
“I’ve watched him grow into an accomplished, innovative and strategic basketball executive who’s ready to lead this organization,” he told reporters Monday morning.
The move comes during a busy period for the Jazz. The team recently locked up head coach Will Hardy with a contract extension running through 2031.
Austin previously worked alongside his father for 10 years in Boston before this family reunion in Utah.
“It’s go time for us: Will is locked in long term and I’ve known Austin for a really long time, and he’s the next, young executive stud,” Smith explained. “He wasn’t going to be available much longer. It’s good timing on all parts.”
The Jazz governor made it clear this wasn’t a rushed decision.
“As I look out into the future, there’s no one I would rather have run this organization than Austin,” Smith said. “His pedigree, his knowledge and his talent evaluation shined through, working with DA for so long and having the trust of Brad [Stevens] all of these years.”
