The Boston Celtics offseason has begun with a shakeup in the front office, per report
Coming into the 2020-21 NBA season, the Boston Celtics had advanced to the conference finals three times in the last four seasons. However, due to injuries to key players, this season was inconsistent at best.
The Celtics did manage to make it to the playoffs. But their postseason run was short-lived as they were eliminated in the first round by the Brooklyn Nets.
When a team fails to make the grade, changes are usually on the horizon, and this scenario is no exception. First of all, Danny Ainge is stepping down as head of basketball operations. This is significant because Ainge held the position with the Boston Celtics since 2003. Additionally, it was Ainge who was largely responsible for the last Celtics last title run back in 2008.
His replacement will be Brad Stevens, who will in turn vacate his position as the Celtics head coach, as reported by The Athletic’s Shams Charania.
As Ainge vacates his position with the Celtics, he is confident that he’s leaving his role in capable hands.
“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 from the Celtics, via ESPN. “I’m grateful to ownership, all of my Celtics colleagues, and the best fans in basketball for being part of the journey.”
During Ainge’s tenure in the front office, the Boston Celtics failed to qualify for the playoffs just three times. This is inccludes seven straight postseason appearances dating back to 2014-15. And during that stretch, the team has had only two head coaches — Doc Rivers and Brad Stevens.
Ainge will continue to work with a team as it transitions into an interesting offseason. Can the next era of Boston Celtics basketball match what we’ve seen over the past 18 years? Only time will tell.