The Utah Jazz have named Austin Ainge as the team’s president of basketball operations.
Ainge joins the Jazz after 17 years with the Boston Celtics where he most recently served as assistant general manager after being promoted by Celtics President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens. Ainge was instrumental in helping lead the Celtics to six Eastern Conference Championship appearances in the past eight seasons, two NBA Finals, and a Championship in 2024.
Previously serving as Boston’s director of scouting and player personnel, 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.
During his tenure, he assisted the Celtics through multiple coaching searches, partnering with each coach in the various iterations of their roster constructions, leading to championship contending teams.
Ainge began his NBA career as a scout for Boston in 2008 before being named head coach of Boston’s G League affiliate, the Maine Celtics, for two seasons from 2009-2011.
“We’re absolutely thrilled to welcome Austin Ainge as our new president of basketball operations,” said Ryan Smith, governor of the Utah Jazz. “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.”
“Austin is experienced, forward-thinking, and laser-focused on building a championship-caliber program. He has been instrumental in every aspect of building great teams – from scouting the best players to constructing a winning roster. In this new role leading the Jazz front office, Austin’s ability to identify great talent, scout, and partner with Danny, Justin, and Will and the rest of the front office team will be key. Hiring Austin couldn’t be coming at a better time as we build up as an organization towards our ultimate goal of championship-level basketball .”
“This is an incredible opportunity to lead Utah Jazz basketball operations,” said Austin Ainge, president of basketball operations for the Utah Jazz. “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.”
“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 Jazz General Manager Justin Zanik. “Once again, Ryan and Ashley illustrate their commitment to Utah as they strive to build the best franchise in the NBA.”
About the Utah Jazz
Founded as the 18th member of the National Basketball Association (NBA) in 1974, and located in Salt Lake City since 1979, the Utah Jazz are committed to excellence as a team and in the community. On the court, the Jazz are the second-winningest team in the NBA over the last 30 years, having won nine division titles and two Western Conference championships along with 17 seasons of 50-plus wins, and are supported by one of the most passionate fan bases in all of sports. The Utah Jazz also operate the Junior Jazz program, the largest and longest-running youth basketball league in the NBA, featuring more than 60,000 players and an additional 13,000 volunteers who take part annually across six states. For more information on the Utah Jazz, an entity of Smith Entertainment Group, visit www.utahjazz.com.