Latest news with #DannyAinge
Daily Mail
12 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Ace Bailey fuels Utah Jazz holdout speculation following NBA Draft surprise
Ace Bailey has fueled speculation that he will holdout from the Utah Jazz, with the ex-Rutgers star reportedly yet to report to his new team. Bailey did not work out for Utah ahead of the draft, and the franchise was not one of his 'preferred destinations', ESPN's Jonathan Givony reported previously. Bailey later said on draft night that he had 'no idea' Utah were interested in him at No. 5. On Friday, Givony's ESPN colleague Brian Windhorst revealed on SportsCenter that Bailey has had 'minimal contact' with the Jazz, who expect him to be in Salt Lake City by the start of summer league training camp on Monday. Meanwhile, Bailey's new teammate and fellow-first round pick Walter Clayton Jr. has already reported to the Jazz, Windhorst said on Thursday night. 'The Jazz have said [Bailey not reporting yet] is not an issue, they allow their new players to go home,' Windhorst said on the late-night edition of SportsCenter with Scott Van Pelt. 'But he will be expected to be there on Monday when their summer league training camp begins. So, let's see.' Brian Windhorst: "Danny Ainge & his son, Austin, are not gonna bend here. They are not gonna get pushed around." SVP: "This seems kinda ridiculous to me. [Ace Bailey is] good, but he's not this good. To be trying to dictate to people don't take me. Like, what the hell is that?" — Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) June 27, 2025 Windhorst added that Utah Jazz CEO and his son, newly-hired president of basketball operations Austin, 'are not gonna bend' when it comes to a potential holdout from Bailey. 'They are not gonna get pushed around... the idea that they're gonna pressure the Jazz into something, I don't think will be successful for Ace Bailey and his operation. But let's see how the next 72 hours plays out,' he said. Prior to the draft, Givony reported that Bailey's agent, Omar Cooper, had told at least one team in the top five that Bailey would not report if they decided to draft him. It's unclear if that team was the Jazz. Bailey was reportedly trying to engineer himself being drafted by the Wizards, Pelicans or Nets, who all drafted after the Jazz. Amid the latest reports regarding Bailey, a representative from his agency insisted on Friday that he's 'thrilled' to be going to Utah. Bailey's agent Cooper is not certified by the NBAPA, so the forward is also being represented by GSE Worldwide. 'Obviously it's an honor to be selected in the top 5 of the NBA Draft, and we think he can do a lot of great things out there, GSE president Andrew Witlieb told FOS Today. 'He certainly should get a ton of playing time and he'll have a lot of chances to show what he can do, so we think it's a great situation for him basketball wise.' Wittlieb did note that the pre-draft process, in which Bailey chose not to work out with any teams, was 'led' by Cooper. 'Omar really focused more on fit than going third in the draft kind of thing,' Wittlieb said. While the Jazz did not get the chance to workout Bailey in person, they badly need an injection of talent on their roster after winning just 17 games last year. They'll hope that changes with Clayton Jr. and (hopefully) Bailey on the roster.
New York Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- New York Times
How Carlos Boozer, Avery Bradley are helping the Jazz brain trust for NBA Draft
Carlos Boozer strode confidently through Zions Bank Basketball Center, the Utah Jazz training facility. Once upon a time, he walked this space as a player. Those were his All-Star days. His Olympian days. The days of Deron Williams, Andrei Kirilenko and the late, great Jerry Sloan. The days of Utah's powder blue uniform. Advertisement Today, Boozer is back with the organization, and, along with Avery Bradley, is a key cog in a front office tasked with selecting the fifth pick in Wednesday night's NBA Draft. Utah's war room will be different for Boozer, not only because he's no longer a player, but also because the building has undergone renovations since his playing days. And we're talking about a front office that has transitioned in general managers from Kevin O'Connor to Dennis Lindsey, to Justin Zanik, to Danny Ainge, and now to Austin Ainge. 'This place has really transformed,' Boozer told The Athletic. 'You see the kitchen over there? That used to be our weight room. This has been fun. It's been a long time coming. I love that I'm back, and it's a huge honor to be working for the Jazz. It's a little different to be on this side. 'But, I want to do my part to build this team back up to being a contender, because that's where this franchise belongs. I love this fan base and this town. It reminds me of my hometown in Alaska. So, this has been a huge honor, and it's brought back so many memories.' Whomever the Jazz select with the fifth pick, whether it be Tre Johnson, Ace Bailey or someone like Jeremiah Fears, Boozer and Bradley will have been key figures in that selection. Officially, Boozer is a scout, and Bradley is the vice president of player development. They both have dreams of one day running their franchise in an executive role. However, in this draft cycle, Boozer and Bradley have both been entrusted with key parts of the scouting and recommendation process. 'They both have a unique perspective, having played the game at a high level for so long,' Austin Ainge told The Athletic. 'It's something that I have leaned on and relied on. They have a lot of trust.' Their roles have been simple yet essential: observe workouts, engage in conversations about the prospects and interact with them. In several key workouts and interviews, the two have been front and center, offering their opinions about what they saw and how prospects have reacted to workouts, whether in groups or individually. Advertisement From Austin Ainge's point of view, the experience that Boozer and Bradley accumulated as players who experienced many different situations became an asset for the Jazz. And everyone knows that a lot is at stake for a Utah organization that needs to get this draft correct. The Jazz will pick fifth on Wednesday night, and whoever they select needs to be a hit. The Jazz have nice players on their roster. Isaiah Collier turned in a terrific rookie season at point guard. Keyonte George continues to evolve as a scorer and a potentially dynamic offensive player. Walker Kessler has emerged as a cornerstone. Kyle Filipowski and Taylor Hendricks both possess a wealth of talent. Cody Williams had a rough rookie season, but the Jazz still hold a lot of hope for the former lottery pick. However, what Utah lacks is a player who projects to be an All-NBA level talent, the kind of player the Oklahoma City Thunder assembled on their path to a championship. That's the task of the Jazz this draft cycle. They know they have to find one of those kinds of players, which is why bringing in Boozer and pairing him with Bradley could pay dividends. 'I think having the perspective of being a player is helpful,' Bradley said. 'Seeing players that could model and resemble some of the players that we've played with and have been in locker rooms with helps. What Carlos and I have wanted to do is help Austin and Justin (Zanik) and Danny (Ainge) in the process.' What has helped Boozer and Bradley in this cycle is their background as players. They were both McDonald's All-Americans and at the top of their respective high school classes. So, they both know what it's like to be superstars at the youth level, much like almost anyone the Jazz will draft on Wednesday night. However, they both had to find ways to sustain success after college. Advertisement Boozer, after a standout career at Duke, fell to being a second-round pick. Why? Because, as a big man, he played relatively under the rim and was only around 6 foot 9 as a power forward. There were concerns about his athleticism and how well he would defend at the NBA level. He turned out to be a great player. He broke out with the Cleveland Cavaliers, and in the peak of his career with the Jazz, he was one of the better power forwards in the Western Conference. Jazz fans haven't soon forgotten his legendary Game 7 road performance against the Houston Rockets in 2007, when he scored 35 points and grabbed 14 rebounds. That was the last season the Jazz advanced as far as the Western Conference finals. Bradley was the top player in his high school class. After college, though, he went from star to role player. And then, he went from role player to being one of the most valuable role players in the league. What prevented him from being a star was being a tweener offensively, neither a point guard nor a shooting guard. What made him the guy almost every contender would want on their team during his prime years was his defense. He was, for much of his prime, one of the very best guard defenders in basketball, his long arms, penchant for playing hard and quick feet completing a great defensive package. When Boozer and Bradley evaluate, they tend to focus on strengths rather than weaknesses: What a player is capable of doing, rather than what they can't do. 'For sure, I'm a tougher critic when it comes to the defensive end of the floor,' Bradley said. 'I think watching the guys gives us a lot of good perspective, each and every day. Carlos was great on the offensive end, so that brings one perspective. When we watch guys, we are trying to project what they will be. We are trying to build a culture that is defensively focused. I think if we can find a way to grow the right culture, we will have the chance to be very successful.' What will be fascinating for Boozer next season is that he will be in a position to scout his sons, with the decent chance that one of them may end up playing for the Jazz. Twins Cameron and Cayden Boozer will be freshmen at Duke this upcoming season. Cam is a 6-foot-10 power forward who projects as one of the top three picks of the 2026 NBA draft. He is a player with very few weaknesses on either side of the floor and has been among the best high school players in the country for years. Advertisement Cayden is one of the best and mature point guards in the class. At 6-5, he has terrific size for his position and is one of the smartest point guards in the class. He projects as a first-round pick. The twins were very small when Carlos was playing for the Jazz. And Carlos promises that scouting them professionally won't be much different from watching them as a father, because, as a father, one can sometimes be the harshest critic for the son. However, ask Carlos about his sons, and the glowing nature of how he talks about them shines through. Above all else, he is a proud father. 'I don't think it will be anything new,' Boozer said. 'I've been evaluating them for their whole careers. I enjoy being a dad and pushing and challenging them. I'm certainly looking forward to getting on campus at Duke, watching them and evaluating the highs and lows and their growth process. Bradley, 34, and Boozer, 43, being relatively young, bode well for their second careers. The fact that they are both recently retired gives them a unique opportunity to impart wisdom to the potential draftees. Whether that pick turns out to be Bailey, Johnson or whomever, Boozer and Bradley will have had a significant hand in that selection. (Photo of Avery Bradley, Carlos Boozer and Austin Ainge: Carlos Avila / Utah Jazz)
Yahoo
16-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
NBA rumors: Jazz already talking with fellow lottery team on trade
The post NBA rumors: Jazz already talking with fellow lottery team on trade appeared first on ClutchPoints. The Utah Jazz blew up their core of Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell in 2022 and have been in limbo as an organization ever since, trying to rebuild and gather as many picks as possible. The 2025 NBA Draft is no different for the Jazz, with Utah sitting at the fifth pick in a draft with talent, but not many potential stars outside of Cooper Flagg. Advertisement The Jazz have flexibility because of their current roster and future asset collection. That flexibility has also allowed Utah to take the lead in talking to other teams about potential trade options in the draft. According to The Athletic, at least one team in the lottery has already engaged the Jazz in potential trade discussions. It seems like the Jazz will try to win this season in one way or another. That could be with an experienced or young team full of talent. Austin Ainge, Danny Ainge's son, was recently hired as the president of basketball operations for the Utah Jazz. When asked about the team's tanking, Ainge laid it out plainly. 'You won't see that this year,' Ainge said via SI. Advertisement The Jazz only won 17 games last season to improve their odds of landing Cooper Flagg. Now that they did not land the top pick, everything seems to be on the table. The Jazz aren't known for landing big fish in free agency, but given the number of assets they have available in picks, could they make a move for an All-Star? The draft is the top priority before they decide on what to do. The Jazz are working out several players in the first round, both players who could be available with their fifth-overall and 21st-overall picks. They have all the options ready, and they seem prepared for anything. The Jazz can follow the blueprint some smaller-market teams have followed, most notably the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers formulas. Those two teams are not in flashy markets, yet both are in the NBA Finals, preparing for a championship showdown. Advertisement The Jazz have even more relevant history than either of those two franchises, and it would be a smart bet not to count them out based on what they have available to use in their tool chest. Related: New Jazz executive shuts down tanking narrative Related: Jazz hire Danny Ainge's son to lead front office
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
04-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Austin Ainge擔任猶他爵士籃球營運總裁 與老爸Danny Ainge重聚
根據美國時間週一宣布的消息，猶他爵士已聘請Austin Ainge(執行長兼代理總裁Danny Ainge的兒子）離開波士頓塞爾提克，擔任球隊籃球營運總裁。 Austin Ainge(左)。圖片來源：達志影像 消息人士透露，Austin Ainge到來後，猶他總經理Justin Zanik仍將繼續留任，球隊總裁Ryan Smith也說，「希望兩人在日常的管理層營運中互補，利用各自獨特的技能，幫助提升我們部門的水準。」 「我們非常高興地歡迎Austin Ainge擔任我們新任籃球營運總裁。」，Ryan Smith在聲明中表示，「Austin Ainge是NBA最聰明的人才之一，他在塞爾提克的17年經歷，讓他對球隊的各方面都有不可思議的洞察力。」 「我看著他成長為一位有成就、有創新精神和戰略眼光的籃球主管，他已經準備好領導這個組織了。」 這是過去幾週爵士在場外做出的第2項重大動作，上個月，爵士與總教練Will Hardy 續簽了一份為期至2031年的長期合約。 Austin Ainge在波士頓為他的父親Danny Ainge效力了十多年，Danny Ainge於2021年夏天離開塞爾提克加盟爵士，他將在猶他與父親重聚。 Ryan Smith表示，他主導了這次招聘，並將他的決定告知了Danny Ainge。 2024-25年NBA總冠軍賽鎖定緯來！西區新興強權、聯盟龍頭奧克拉荷馬雷霆將要遭遇東區竄出頭的印第安那溜馬的挑戰，本季最後的7場廝殺就為了爭奪那座象徵年度最高榮譽的歐布萊恩金盃。精彩對戰、場場精彩敬請鎖定緯來體育台現場直播！ ✎緯來體育台官方網站 【 】 ✎緯來新聞網 【 】 ✎緯來體育台官方YouTube收看NBA LIVE直播【 】 緯來體育台-2024-25NBA美國職籃大賽-賽程轉播表
