NBA rumors: Danny Ainge 'in play' for Jazz front office role

NBA rumors: Danny Ainge 'in play' for Jazz front office role



Nick Goss


Mon, June 28, 2021, 10:44 AM



Could Danny Ainge's next role come with the Utah Jazz?

Jazz executive Dennis Lindsey is transitioning to an advisor position, per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski. Utah general manager Justin Zanik will run the day-to-day operations of the front office.

Adrian Wojnarowski
@wojespn
Owner Ryan Smith has worked well with GM Justin Zanik, who’s played an instrumental role in the Jazz’s team building. Smith is expected to use opportunity to take look at front office structure and see where it can be strengthened.
Adrian Wojnarowski
@wojespn
Dennis Lindsey, who will become an advisor to the Jazz, has confirmed and shared a statement:



Where does Ainge factor in? Here's what The Athletic's Tony Jones reported Sunday night:


Tony Jones
@Tjonesonthenba
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
8:16 PM · Jun 27, 2021



The Jazz have been very competitive in recent seasons, including an active five-year playoff appearance streak, but they have not reached the Western Conference Finals since 2007. This year's Jazz playoff run ended in disappointment with a Game 6 loss in the second round to a Los Angeles Clippers team playing without superstar forward Kawhi Leonard due to injury.

Utah has some major roster decisions coming up, including the future of veteran point guard Mike Conley, who can become an unrestricted free agent this summer. Ainge's experience and roster-building acumen would be valuable for the Jazz as they try to take the next step from playoff contender to legit title contender.

Ainge left the Boston Celtics earlier this month after spending nearly two decades as the team's president of basketball operations. He helped build Boston's NBA Finals-winning team in 2008 and laid a foundation for future success with the recent draft picks of All-Stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.

Ainge spent four years at one of Utah's most notable schools, BYU. He played college basketball there and remains one of the best players in the program's history.



Bob



.

Good for him. Things generally end on a slightly sour note and Danny's last couple of years were not exciting.

Overall, I am thankful to Danny and the current ownership for rescuing us from the misery of the early 2000s.