Danny and Austin Ainge are set to work together once again, and fans can already think of one notable parallel for the situation.
Austin Ainge has been hired as the new president of basketball operations for the Utah Jazz, the team announced on Monday. The move reunites Austin with his father Danny, who currently serves as the CEO of the Jazz.
As a result, fans on social media all had the same reaction to the hire. They drew comparisons to LeBron James and his son Bronny, both with commentary and also with jokes about the perceived nepotism. Take a look below.
Aye I better see the same energy about the nepotism w Danny Ainge and his son that yall gave Bron and Bronny lmaooo
— ️️️️ ️ ️️️️ ️ (@_jaycamz) June 2, 2025
No Danny ainge I’m pleading to you as a father don’t do this lmao
— PR1ME (@primetime32_) June 2, 2025
Where’s all the nepotism talk ? Or is that just saved for LeBron and bronny ? @espn https://t.co/bZ5gTdiuCs
LeBron gets Bronny in the NBA…everyone’s got an opinion
— Marcus Talks Sports (@DMTalksSports) June 2, 2025
Danny Ainge brings Austin over to Utah…no one bats an eye
I thought we didn’t like nepotism in sports?
Now do Danny Ainge like y’all did LeBron about Bronny https://t.co/voYCaYXDJn
— Parker B (@TheAdvokate) June 2, 2025
Stephen A. needs to come to Danny Ainge as a father https://t.co/AC5pyVfbjU
— WURM (@StillWurm) June 2, 2025
The 43-year-old Austin began his career in the pro ranks as the head coach of the Maine Red Claws, the affiliate of the Boston Celtics in the then-NBA D-League, from 2009-11. Notably, his father Danny served as president of basketball operations for the Celtics at the time.
Austin would rise up through the ranks of the Celtics organization, eventually becoming an NBA scout then Boston’s director of scouting and player personnel and later their assistant general manager. Even after Danny retired from the Celtics in 2021 and later became CEO of the Jazz, Austin remained with the Celtics and was a part of their 2024 NBA championship team.
Now Austin is leaving the Celtics and reuniting with his father on the Jazz (while landing a leading role in Utah’s front office to boot). While Austin was already a legitimate candidate for other lead executive jobs in the NBA, it may be tough for him to overcome the nepotism barbs (as have recently been lobbed at the James family as well).
