Danny Ainge is a prominent figure in American professional basketball, with a career spanning playing, coaching, and executive roles. He played both professional basketball and baseball. He is best known for his 14-year tenure as the general manager and president of basketball operations for the Boston Celtics. During his time in Boston, from 2003 to 2021, Ainge became known for his strategic and often bold decision-making, including trades and roster moves that reshaped the team. These moves were aimed at rebuilding the Celtics into a championship contender and involved both acquiring star players and managing salary cap space effectively. His time with the Celtics included an NBA championship in 2008. Currently, Ainge serves as an executive for the Utah Jazz.
March 17, 1959: Birth of Danny Ainge
Danny Ainge was born on March 17, 1959.
1976: First High School State Title
In 1976, Danny Ainge led his high school basketball team to their first state title.
1977: Drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays
Danny Ainge was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in 1977.
1977: Second High School State Title and All-America Honors
In 1977, Ainge led his team to a second consecutive state title and earned All-America honors in football, basketball, and baseball.
1979: Major League Debut
Ainge made his Major League Baseball debut with the Blue Jays in 1979.
1981: Rookie Season
Danny Ainge played sparingly during his rookie season in 1981-82.
1981: Drafted by the Boston Celtics
In 1981, Danny Ainge was drafted by the Boston Celtics after a legal battle to buy out his contract with the Blue Jays.
1981: Drafted into the NBA
In 1981, Danny Ainge was drafted into the NBA by the Boston Celtics.
1981: Game-Winning Shot and National College Player of the Year
In the 1981 NCAA tournament, Ainge hit a game-winning shot against Notre Dame, and later that year, he was named the national college basketball player of the year.
April 25, 1983: Tree Bites Man
On April 25, 1983, during a playoff game against the Atlanta Hawks, Danny Ainge was involved in an altercation with Tree Rollins, resulting in Rollins biting Ainge's finger. Ainge was ejected from the game, and the incident made headlines.
1983: Moved to the Bench
Ainge was moved back to the bench for the 1983-84 season.
1984: First NBA Championship
Ainge won his first NBA Championship with the Celtics in 1984.
1984: Returned to Starting Lineup
Ainge returned to the starting lineup after the Celtics traded Gerald Henderson.
1985: Strong Performance as Starter
In the 1984-85 season, Ainge averaged 12.9 points and 5.3 assists per game.
1986: Ainge Wins Championship as Player
In 1986, Ainge won an NBA Championship as a player. This year would become relevant again in 2008, when he held the trophy as an executive after the Celtics won the title.
1986: Second NBA Championship
Ainge and the Celtics won their second NBA Championship in 1986.
1986: Third NBA Championship
Ainge and the Celtics, considered one of the greatest teams in NBA history, won another championship in the 1985-86 season.
1988: NBA All-Star Game Appearance
Danny Ainge appeared in the NBA All-Star Game in 1988.
1989: Trade to Sacramento Kings
Danny Ainge was traded to the Sacramento Kings in 1989.
1990: Trade to Portland Trail Blazers
Danny Ainge was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers in 1990.
1991: End of Season with Trail Blazers
Ainge played for the Trail Blazers for the remainder of the 1991-1992 season.
May 5, 1992: High-Scoring Playoff Game
On May 5, 1992, Ainge played a key role in the highest-scoring NBA postseason game of all time.
July 1, 1992: Signed with Phoenix Suns
Ainge signed with the Phoenix Suns on July 1, 1992.
1993: Tussle with Michael Jordan
In 1993, while playing for the Phoenix Suns, Ainge got into a tussle with Michael Jordan at midcourt. Both players received technical fouls.
January 18, 1994: 900 Three-Point Shots
On January 18, 1994, Ainge became the second player in NBA history to hit 900 three-point shots.
1994: Retirement from NBA
Danny Ainge retired from playing in the NBA after the 1994-95 season.
1994: Incident with Mario Elie
During a 1994 postseason game, Ainge threw an inbounding pass that hit Houston Rockets guard Mario Elie in the face.
May 1996: Ainge Joins Suns as Assistant Coach
In May 1996, Danny Ainge returned to the Phoenix Suns as an assistant coach under Cotton Fitzsimmons.
November 14, 1996: Ainge Becomes Suns Head Coach
On November 14, 1996, following an 0-8 start to the season, Ainge replaced Cotton Fitzsimmons as head coach of the Phoenix Suns.
1996: Ainge Appears in "Space Jam"
In 1996, Danny Ainge made a brief acting appearance in the film "Space Jam", playing himself.
1997: Suns Reach Playoffs Despite Slow Start
In 1997, Ainge led the Suns to the playoffs after the team began the season with a 0-13 record.
December 14, 1999: Ainge Resigns as Suns Coach
On December 14, 1999, Ainge resigned from his position as head coach of the Phoenix Suns to spend more time with his family.
1999: Induction into Oregon Sports Hall of Fame
In 1999, Danny Ainge was inducted into the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame.
2003: Ainge Joins Celtics as Executive
In 2003, Ainge was hired by the Boston Celtics as the executive director of basketball operations.
2003: President of Basketball Operations
In 2003, Danny Ainge became the President of Basketball Operations for the Boston Celtics.
October 2006: Red Auerbach's Death
Red Auerbach, a legendary figure in Celtics history, passed away in October 2006. He had served as a senior assistant with the team until his death and had supported Ainge's decisions as an executive.
2006: Paul Pierce Requests Trade
Following a disappointing 2006-07 season, Celtics captain Paul Pierce requested a trade if the team could not improve.
2007: Ainge Makes Blockbuster Trades
In 2007, Ainge made significant trades, acquiring Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen, forming a new "Big Three" with Paul Pierce. This resulted in a dramatic turnaround for the Celtics, earning Ainge the NBA Executive of the Year Award.
October 2008: Celtics Win 17th Championship, Ainge Promoted
In October 2008, after leading the Celtics to their 17th NBA championship, Ainge was promoted to President of Basketball Operations.
2008: NBA Executive of the Year
In 2008, Danny Ainge was named the NBA Executive of the Year.
2008: Erik Ainge Drafted to NFL
In 2008, Danny Ainge's nephew, Erik Ainge, was drafted into the NFL by the New York Jets.
2009: Ainge's First Heart Attack
In 2009, Danny Ainge suffered a mild heart attack.
May 3, 2010: Ainge Fined for Towel Incident
On May 3, 2010, Ainge was fined $25,000 for attempting to distract JJ Hickson during a free throw by tossing a towel.
2013: Ainge Trades Garnett and Pierce
In 2013, Ainge orchestrated a trade sending Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce to the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for several players and draft picks. This trade was highly beneficial for the Celtics in the long run.
2014: Celtics Receive Nets' First-Round Pick
In 2014, the Celtics received the Brooklyn Nets' first-round pick as part of the 2013 trade involving Garnett and Pierce.
2016: Celtics Receive Nets' First-Round Pick
In 2016, the Celtics received the Brooklyn Nets' first-round pick as part of the 2013 trade involving Garnett and Pierce.
August 22, 2017: Ainge Trades Isaiah Thomas for Kyrie Irving
On August 22, 2017, Ainge traded Isaiah Thomas to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Kyrie Irving.
2017: Celtics Have Right to Swap Picks with Nets
In 2017, as part of the 2013 trade, the Celtics had the right to swap first-round picks with the Brooklyn Nets.
2018: Celtics Receive Nets' First-Round Pick
In 2018, the Celtics received the Brooklyn Nets' first-round pick as part of the 2013 trade involving Garnett and Pierce.
2018: Celtics Trade Nets' Pick to Cavaliers
In 2018, the Celtics traded the Brooklyn Nets' first-round pick (acquired in the 2013 Garnett and Pierce trade) to the Cleveland Cavaliers as part of the Kyrie Irving trade.
2019: Ainge's Second Heart Attack
Danny Ainge experienced a second mild heart attack in 2019.
2020: Jake Toolson Signs with Jazz
In 2020, another of Danny Ainge's nephews, Jake Toolson, signed a contract with the Utah Jazz.
2020: Celtics Receive Second-Round Pick from Heat
In 2020, the Celtics received a second-round pick from the Miami Heat as compensation related to a prior injury to Isaiah Thomas, further complicating the original trade with Cleveland.
June 2, 2021: Ainge Retires from Celtics
On June 2, 2021, Danny Ainge announced his retirement from the Boston Celtics, naming Brad Stevens as his successor.
December 15, 2021: Ainge Joins Utah Jazz
On December 15, 2021, Ainge was hired by the Utah Jazz as their CEO of basketball operations and alternate governor.
2021: Retirement from Celtics
In 2021, Danny Ainge retired from his position with the Boston Celtics.
2022: Ainge Makes Major Trades for Jazz
In the 2022 offseason, Ainge made several impactful trades for the Jazz, including sending Rudy Gobert to Minnesota and Donovan Mitchell to Cleveland, acquiring numerous players and draft picks in return.
2023: Ainge Makes Trades to Clear Cap Space
During the 2023 trade deadline, Ainge orchestrated trades for the Jazz involving players like Mike Conley, Malik Beasley, and Jarred Vanderbilt to clear cap space and acquire assets like a 2027 first round pick.
2024: Celtics Win 2024 NBA Finals
In 2024, the Celtics won the NBA Finals. The assets acquired in the 2013 trade orchestrated by Ainge played a crucial role in this victory.
2024: Kyrie Irving Plays for Mavericks in Finals
In 2024, Kyrie Irving, who was acquired by Ainge in a trade with the Cavaliers, played for the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA Finals against the Celtics.
2027: Jazz Have First-Round Pick from Lakers Trade
In 2027, the Jazz will have a first-round draft pick acquired from the Los Angeles Lakers as part of a 2023 trade deadline deal.
Not specified: Diagnosis with ADHD
A personality test taken by Ainge revealed that he has ADHD. The exact date this occurred is not specified, but is noted to have been during Doc Rivers' time as Celtics coach.