10:06am: The Celtics have officially announced that Stevens is the new president of basketball operations. Despite at least one report suggesting that Ainge isn’t expected to retire from basketball (as noted below), the club’s statement says the veteran executive is “retiring” from his role as president of basketball ops. Ainge will continue to work with the team through its offseason transition, per the C’s.
“Helping guide this organization has been the thrill of a lifetime, and having worked side-by-side with him since he’s been here, I know we couldn’t be in better hands than with Brad guiding the team going forward,” Ainge said in a statement. “I’m grateful to ownership, all of my Celtics colleagues, and the best fans in basketball for being part of the journey.”
Stevens issued a statement of his own, as follows:
“I’m grateful to ownership and to Danny for trusting me with this opportunity. I’m excited to tackle this new role, starting with a wide ranging and comprehensive search for our next head coach. I love the Celtics, and know the great honor and responsibility that comes with this job. I will give it everything I have to help us be in position to consistently compete for championships.”
9:24am: A major shakeup is taking place in Boston, as Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge will indeed step down from his current role, per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski (Twitter link). Wojnarowski had reported earlier in the morning that Ainge was seriously considering such a move.
The Celtics won’t go outside the organization for Ainge’s replacement, however. According to Shams Charania of The Athletic (Twitter links), head coach Brad Stevens will be making the move from the sidelines to the front office and will become the club’s new president of basketball operations.
Rather than holding a dual role, Stevens will become a full-time front office executive and is expected to lead the search for the Celtics’ new head coach, Charania reports.
Celtics players were informed of this potential change late on Tuesday night after the team was eliminated from the playoffs, says Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports (Twitter link).
Ainge had been contemplating leaving his job as the Celtics’ president of basketball operations for the last several months, according to Wojnarowski (Twitter link), who adds that Ainge had discussed possible succession plans with ownership.
While Stevens is a surprising choice as Ainge’s successor, Wojnarowski points out that Ainge made a similar move early in his post-playing career, having coached the Suns from 1996-99 before later transitioning into a front office role. According to Woj (Twitter link), Stevens has been described as feeling “worn down” with coaching since last summer and welcome the opportunity to shift into an executive position.
This major basketball operations overhaul comes on the heels of the Celtics’ early exit from the postseason. After making the Eastern Conference Finals in three of the last four years, Boston entered the season with aspirations of competing for a title.
However, due to COVID-19 issues, injuries, and inconsistent play, the team never built any real momentum toward legit contention, finishing seventh in the East. Although the C’s earned a postseason berth via the play-in tournament, they were eliminated swiftly in the first round by the Nets.
Despite the Celtics’ disappointing season, Stevens and Ainge – one of the longest-tenured coach/executive duos in the NBA – weren’t thought to be in any real danger of being fired. It appears Ainge’s exit is of his own volition after he spent the last 18 years calling the shots in the team’s front office.
Even though his time with the Celtics is ending, Ainge isn’t believed to be leaning toward retirement, according to Chris Mannix of SI.com, who tweets that the Jazz have been rumored as a possible landing spot for the veteran exec.
Meanwhile, Lakers assistant Jason Kidd and former Hawks coach Lloyd Pierce are expected to be among the candidates to fill Boston’s newly-created head coaching vacancy, according to Haynes (Twitter link).
In his eight seasons as the Celtics’ head coach, Stevens led the team to a 354-282 (.557) regular season record, with a 38-40 (.487) mark in the playoffs, including those three Eastern Finals appearances. As for Ainge, the C’s made the postseason in all but three of his 18 seasons running the front office, taking home a title in 2008.
Ainge’s trades for Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen helped lead the Celtics to a title in 2008. Additionally, the blockbuster deal that sent an aging Garnett and Paul Pierce to the Nets for a boatload of draft picks in 2013 is considered one of the biggest NBA heists of the century, putting Boston in position to land Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown in subsequent drafts.
Photos courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
I wish Steve Kerr would do the same.
Seriously …. Stevens the next great coach. This is how you go out. This teams core is still a young team. Been saying this for yrs now. Never replaced Horford and been trying for yrs. Could of moved Hayward and kept Horford. I’m sure he would of took less to stay in Boston, not much less. Well, this is a good move for Stevens. But it seems he’s running out on players. It’s a business after all . So I guess coaches have rights too. Still seems like a more of a mess in Boston. They were so close just a few yrs ago.
Horford has been gone for 2 seasons. How have they been trying to replace him “for years” plus he is on one of the worst contracts in the league. You would think how often you post that you would get something right every now and then. Everyone is still waiting and probably will be for a while.
He may have not put up points but was a quality big in the middle something they severely lack
You would think by know you’d understand what chemistry and production is. We are not on same level obviously. So I will be gentle to you. Hayward was mostly a bench scorer. Someone they COULD replace. Horford interior D chemistry on O and D they haven’t. Horford is a natural big who can play outside. He is also capable of offense. Fact is he was a better fit than Hayward. Thompson, Theis, Williams (young still), Taco. He knew system and fit with players well. They were a REAL contender with him. Therefore been trying to replace him since. I’m open for lessons any day. I talk ball and ball only. So anyone waiting understands as much as you do.
They haven’t been a REAL contender for years. in 17-18 they had 55 wins and that was the year Irving missed the playoffs.
It was time for Ainge to move on.
Why are you so arrogant and condescending to people? Dude lightly challenged you on how long Horford has been gone and you unloaded on him. Chill, man. You don’t know as much as you think (none of us do).
Is that what you call it. Frankly I could care less what you think too. Lightly is not saying “ how often you post”. Which implies he reads and counts. And uses “everyone is waiting” to make his point. That’s a personal attack to me. And it is disrespectful to my knowledge of the gm. Which I take very seriously. No one has to agree with me. But if you don’t like what I say. It’s basketball show me how wrong my take is. Not how wrong I am. I never get personal. Unless you ask for it. My knowledge doesn’t need acclamation only respect. Like the respect I show all at first. That’s not condescending, it’s understanding respect. You show some, you will get some.
You realize the contract you’re referring to was done by the 6ers, not the Celtics.
You realize that to keep him they would have needed to match that contract. They obviously made the correct move in not. So him saying they should have kept Horford means he thinks they should have given him that contract. Also does anyone really think Horford has been better than Hayward the last two years? These are the obvious reason why his point is way off base.
He was a FA and could have negotiated with Celtics. He would signed where he Wanted. Why do t you look up his production with Celtics. Before spouting nonsense. Horford production on O and especially D is not easily replaced. You can’t know ball and not know that. Burkes who Celtics had with Horford 15 us better than Hayward’s ever was. Chemistry is not something you learn right away. You may not Like Horford. But he was never replaced in Boston. And now their coach is gone cause of it. Celtics were one best team D in league with Horford. U understand D is half the gm. Horford on Celtics was one best two way bigs in gm. And capable of 20 a night. But rather win than go for his. These are the things avg fans don’t get. But surely think they can insult over. Learn the gm lol.
But if you ask Al nobody is on “his level” which of course is what happens when you start drinking first thing in the morning.
See now it’s drinking. Man you got so much game. I never really liked alcohol lol. I’m more a high grade weed type. Only basketball midgets can’t argue ball. So they do what you do. I’m sure if we were in the same room I’d bounce you like I bounced you here. So feel brave lol.
Good grief you just don’t get it. Because you really think that what you are saying is factual when in reality it is laughable. Look at what Horford has done since he left. You said they should have kept Horford and they would have had to pay up to do that (they tried but 76ers went higher) He is older now. I have always been a fan of Horford but he isn’t the same player he used to be especially at that price! It’s really not that complicated. You would think a self proclaimed basketball expert would understand that. Maybe you should take some of your own advice and look up his stats and production the last two years. Then maybe you can take some of your own advice again and learn the game.
Also I did take an unnecessary shot about drinking. I didn’t need to do that. But it was in response to you saying that nobody is on your level when it comes to basketball knowledge. I was confused how someone could look at your takes and say nobody is on your level and not be talking about drinking. But again it was unnecessary on my part. I should have just stuck to facts or in this case the lack there of.
Al’s personal habits do matter as they affect posting style and opinions and in this case, physical threats, albeit humourous.
But since the Celts have declined without Horford, and Steven’s system has no place for a big forward, it is something to note concerning the legacies of Stevens vs Ainge, and expectations for the future.
I suspect the Celts will continue being on the small side.
They tried to keep Horford, but he took more years/money to go to Philly.
He’s a very smart guy, I’m sure he’ll do great. People questioned the hire when he was named HC and he did a really good job. Seems to have the right demeanor and certainly has the basketball IQ for the job.
This is stupid on so many levels. Moving from HC to GM is ok, but not within the same team?! He surely has an emotional attachment to many players, not sure he would be able to trade or cut them easily. Secondly, the second the new coach will run into trouble some ppl will start speculation about moving Stevens back to the bench.
Only Riley did this successfully, but he is much more experienced and fierce in making moves.
Jerry West went from coach to scout to GM and did pretty good.
I think Stevens can get it done, but it might be harder for the reasons you list.
wowzers
Ainge had to go. Got nothing for Gordon, Kyrie, didn’t get Davis, signed Kemba to that ridiculous contract, made some terrible draft choices, couldn’t get a decent bench. Etc etc
I suppose it evened out after all they got for KG and PP.
Singe tried to out smart everyone by overvaluing his picks and young talent! It wasn’t his fault that Gordon got hurt and was not himself for the first three seasons but the Kyrie trade killed him, everyone knew Kyrie was a head case, talented, yes but full of himself! Horford was just old to sign for the money! This team needs a third star and they have very little ammunition to go get one. Everyone loved the Kenna signing when he first came to Boston but again injuries! Langford and Nesmith may turn into very good players or may not! We have two budding super Stars who are still young! Steven’s has to find a away to roll the dice and get the third piece. Boston still has a bright future and the other teams in the other top teams in the east are a little older! There is a chance for Boston to have a very special team but putting it together is going to be a lot harder now! Please tell me hat the there are better coaching candidates out better than Jason and Pierce. Anige gambled and lost!
Celtics problem is that they don’t have tax room to acquire a good player and future draft picks have not much value
Celtics won’t go to conference finals next 3 years if they pay less than $30 million luxury tax a season
Same as Lakers
How ironic would it be for Jason Kidd to be the head coach there after he endured the “wife-beater” chants when the Nets played them in the conference finals at TD Garden in 2003?
Ainge had to go hopefully the Celtics will get a very good coach
This should quiet the “Brad Stevens will be the next coach of [insert blue blood NCAA team here]” rumors for a year or so.
1 title in 20+ years. That chip was built on signing hof talent. Zero skill at constructing a rosters had bevy of picks and young talent and couldn’t draft well enough to build around tatum.
He didn’t sign KG or Ray Allen though. People forget what a train wreck Boston was after Larry Bird retired. A bunch of mediocre to bad seasons. He turned the Celtics around back to a championship team and kept them competitive every year. His only real questionable move was the Kyrie trade but IT was done…he did good to get anything for him. Maybe he should’ve moved some of the draft capitol for a star but you’ve gotta fill a roster out somehow.
Tats, I thought you said basketball was scripted? Pick a side and stick with it.
Dude this race stuff is getting OLD. 5 seconds after this happens, Stephen A is already making waves that Stevens getting the job because he’s white.
If it rains, Stephen A. blames it on racism.
You don’t have to listen to him dude. I had no idea until you just wrote it down.
I turned it off, but bc of his platform it will become a topic now on shows I do like. I typically don’t watch First Take, but I turned on ESPN when I took a break and said screw it and flipped back to Paw Partol.
For someone like me, who comes from Europe, things like that are sometimes hard to understand, because here in sports, many things are different (different titles, different structure in an organization,…)
Therefore, I would be interested in the following: I realize that Team President is higher up in the organization than Head Coach and that Stevens was promoted because of that. But for me it looks more like a demotion, like: It didn’t work out as a coach, so we’ll just move you to another position.
Is this really perceived as a promotion or more of a “promotion” (as in everybody says it’s great in order to safe face but it isn’t)?
Ainge lasted 18 years in the front office. Stevens lasted 8 years as HC. Typically, coaches are fired after 2, 3, or 4 years. He was getting burnt out as a coach. He won’t have the same grind and travel requirements, and is a high basketball IQ guy, he could last another 8 years + in this role. Whereas if he just coached, and they let him go or he stepped away he’s walking into a different situation and could end up bouncing around the league. He’s got a lot of support in Boston.
GM/President is a better job, because it has less stress and longer shelf life.
The head coach is like the chef, the president just goes shopping for the ingredients.
I agree cynically with the OP… Stevens got kicked upstairs. Ainge was more frequently blamed by the fanbase than Stevens. I think in error.
For a guy as young as Stevens it’s pretty much unprecedented. A dual role of Coach + GM would be a promotion.
This seems more like a “promotion”
Pierce has no business being an option at head coach imo
He’s not. Agent just throwing his name out there to attempt to have him in the mix for the 4 jobs that will be open.
Five years ago (+/-), it seemed like the Celtics were the envy of every NBA Team. They had picks galore, good young talent, and an up-and-coming coach. To come away with little to show it except for a lackluster regular season and a first-round exit is proof enough that this franchise blew its opportunity for much more. I guess the nucleus is still there but the Celtics really missed their chance at greatness.
Ainge blew the Celtics window and Stevens did nothing to become the boy genuine HC he was made out to be.
Bjorkgren is next in 3… 2… 1…
I heard Jim Boylen is a candidate for Celtics coaching slot.
Heard that from Jim Boylen…bonk-ching!
I think Coach K will take the job he just left Duke very suspicious timing.
He is used to pedigree and getting his way and what better franchise than the storied Celtics of Boston.
Plus he can fix a Duke -> Celtics pipeline just like Knicks get players from Kentucky.
Tl;dr Zion to Boston
I like the combination summary/punch-line.
Theres a lot of truth to what Steven A says. But with Stevens it’s not really true. Cause he’s a company man to me. He never went against management. Even though he had a good argument to do it. One thing bothers me though. If the rumors about him losing the locker room are true. Then moving him up doesn’t really address that. But seems to make it worse in some ways. Celtics were a contender with Horford. A vet like him made Stevens look good. They have been steadily going down since they lost him. If you really follow and know this game. You have to see this at least somewhat true. He signed for 27 mill. Same as Hayward makes, you think race played a part here. They didn’t need Hayward with Tatum here. They needed a big like Horford . You don’t think he would of signed for 24-25 mill to stay in Boston. Did Celtics even try to keep him. NO , ask yourself WHY ……. he was replaceable. Guess what ??? He wasn’t. Now the next step is break this team up. Yeah OK. The Horford situation has nothing to do with this. And Boston is not a racist town.
They swapped Horford for Kemba tho, they went small ball. And Hayward was under contract, they didnt retain him in FA. They tried to go with a committee at the 4 and 5.
It was about “positionless basketball”, not race, and it was ultimately Horford’s choice.
Not that there ‘s no racism… every organism has preferences. Molecules have shell and ionic preferences. Humans have a will that can quash it but may prefer to prefer. Some humans prefer small ball not skin color.
Went from should have been fired 5 months ago to somehow being president of basketball operations. Worked out nice for Stevens…