Rumor: Danny Ainge Linked to Utah Jazz

 

Can we say that "retirement" didn't sit well with Danny Ainge? Just a day after stepping down as Boston Celtics' President of Basketball Operations, rumors are linking him to a possible job in the Utah Jazz front office. 

As Danny Ainge moves on from Boston, a possible landing spot, in some capacity: The Utah Jazz. As rumors of Ainge's exit rippled through the NBA in recent months, a role with the Jazz has been seen as a potential next step.

— Chris Mannix (@SIChrisMannix) June 2, 2021

A Jazz source says Ainge and new team owner Ryan Smith are "best friends". They both hail from Eugene, Oregon, and both went to Brigham Young University. And there's a political connection between the former Celtics' exec, his son Tanner Ainge, and the billionaire Smith.

When Danny Ainge pushed his son Tanner to run for a seat in Congress in 2017, Smith was one of the first on social media to give it the thumbs up.

We know what an Ainge can do in bball. We need that same tenacity in the House. Let's go Tanner! https://t.co/I3POzxUZY5

— Ryan Smith (@RyanQualtrics) May 19, 2017

Nothing is expected to happen anytime soon, as Utah is a little busy at the moment, on a playoff run as a legit title contender. But come the offseason, the Jazz, and possibly Danny Ainge, could be playing a different tune. 

Photo Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports