Boston Celtics Rumors: Head Coach Candidates After Brad Stevens Replaces GM Danny Ainge

The Boston Celtics are getting a new president of basketball operations and head coach. Danny Ainge will no longer run the franchise, and coach Brad Stevens will take his place.

According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Ainge has been considering relinquishing his role as president for months while discussing a succession plan with Celtics ownership. Stevens has welcomed the chance to move into the front office and will help find Boston’s new head coach.

The Celtics could hire someone from Stevens’ staff to be his successor. Jay Larranaga, Boston’s top assistant, is viewed as a candidate and has been interviewed for other head-coaching jobs. Assistants Jerome Allen and Scott Morris could also be considered.

Yahoo Sports’ Chris Haynes reported that Los Angeles Lakers assistant Jason Kidd and former Atlanta Hawks coach Lloyd Pierce are expected to be candidates. Brooklyn Nets assistant Ime Udoka has been linked to other head-coaching openings in recent years and is likely on the Celtics’ radar.

A former Celtics point guard might end up being Boston’s choice. There appears to be some momentum for Los Angeles Clippers assistant Chauncey Billups to be seriously considered. Philadelphia 76ers assistant Sam Cassell is another option.

Boston was eliminated from the 2021 NBA playoffs Tuesday night with a 123-109 Game 5 loss to the Brooklyn Nets. The Celtics only picked up one postseason victory after reaching the Eastern Conference Finals in three of the last four years.

The Celtics had a disappointing 2020-21 campaign. Boston had a .500 record in the regular season, giving them the No. 7 seed in the East. The Celtics needed a win in the league’s new play-in tournament to clinch a postseason berth.

During a tumultuous season, there was speculation that head coach Stevens might not return next year if the Celtics finished the season well below expectations.

Stevens was hired as the Celtics head coach in 2013 after leading Butler to the NCAA national championship game in 2010 and 2011. Boston had a 354-282 record under Stevens over the last eight seasons with seven straight playoff appearances.

Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown give Boston two of the league’s most talented young players. The rest of the roster could feature significant changes in the offseason. Kemba Walker has dealt with injuries and missed key games since signing a max contract with Boston two summers ago.

Ainge was hired in 2003, seven years after his playing career ended. Ainge played for the Celtics from 1981-1989.

Ainge was named the 2008 NBA Executive of the Year, forming the team that would go on to win the NBA Finals. The Celtics got back to the Finals two years later, losing to the Los Angeles Lakers in seven games.

The Celtics have not returned to the NBA Finals since 2010.