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{{Short description|American basketball executive and player (born 1959)}}
{{BLP sources|date=May 2025}}
{{Use American English|date=August 2019}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2024}}
{{Infobox basketball biography
| name = Danny Ainge
| image = Danny, calm as always.jpg
| width = 
| caption = Ainge during the Celtics' championship parade in 2008
| team = Utah Jazz 
| position = CEO of basketball operations / alternate governor
| league = [[National Basketball Association|NBA]]
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1959|03|17}}
| birth_place = [[Eugene, Oregon]], U.S.
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 5
| weight_lb = 190
| high_school = [[North Eugene High School|North Eugene]] (Eugene, Oregon)
| college = [[BYU Cougars men's basketball|BYU]] (1977–1981)
| draft_year = 1981
| draft_round = 2
| draft_pick = 31
| draft_team = [[Boston Celtics]]
| career_start = 1981
| career_end = 1995
| career_position = [[Shooting guard]] / [[point guard]]
| career_number = 44, 7, 9, 22
| coach_start = 1996
| coach_end = 1999
| years1 = {{nbay|1981|start}}–{{nbay|1988|end}}
| team1 = [[Boston Celtics]]
| years2 = {{nbay|1988|end}}–{{nbay|1989|end}}
| team2 = [[Sacramento Kings]]
| years3 = {{nbay|1990|start}}–{{nbay|1991|end}}
| team3 = [[Portland Trail Blazers]]
| years4 = {{nbay|1992|start}}–{{nbay|1994|end}}
| team4 = [[Phoenix Suns]]
| cyears1 = {{nbay|1996|start}}
| cteam1 = Phoenix Suns (assistant)
| cyears2 = {{nbay|1996|start}}–{{nbay|1999|start}}
| cteam2 = Phoenix Suns
| highlights = 
'''As player:'''
* 2× [[List of NBA champions|NBA champion]] ([[1984 NBA Finals|1984]], [[1986 NBA Finals|1986]])
* [[List of NBA All-Stars|NBA All-Star]] ({{nasg|1988}})
* [[John R. Wooden Award]] ([[1980–81 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|1981]])
* [[NABC Player of the Year]] (1981)
* Consensus first-team [[NCAA Men's Basketball All-Americans|All-American]] ([[1981 NCAA Men's Basketball All-Americans|1981]])
* Third-team All-American – [[National Association of Basketball Coaches|NABC]] ([[1980 NCAA Men's Basketball All-Americans|1980]])
* Fourth-team All-American – NABC ([[1979 NCAA Men's Basketball All-Americans|1979]])
* [[Western Athletic Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Year|WAC Player of the Year]] (1981)
* 4× First-team All-[[Western Athletic Conference|WAC]] (1978–1981)
* No. 22 [[BYU Cougars men's basketball#Retired numbers|retired by BYU Cougars]]
* Second-team [[Parade All-America Boys Basketball Team|''Parade'' All-American]] (1977)
'''As executive:'''
* [[List of NBA champions|NBA champion]] ({{nbafy|2008}})
* [[NBA Executive of the Year Award|NBA Executive of the Year]] ({{nbay|2007|end}})
| stats_league = NBA
| stat1label = [[Point (basketball)|Points]]
| stat1value = 11,964 (11.5 ppg)
| stat2label = [[Assist (basketball)|Assists]]
| stat2value = 4,199 (4.0 apg)
| stat3label = [[Steal (basketball)|Steals]]
| stat3value = 1,133 (1.1 spg)
}}
<!--Baseball career-->
{{Infobox baseball biography
| name       = Danny Ainge
| position   = [[Second baseman]] / [[Third baseman]]
| birth_date  = {{birth date and age|1959|03|17}}
| birth_place = [[Eugene, Oregon]] 
| bats       = Right
| throws     = Right
|debutleague = MLB
| debutdate  = May 21
| debutyear  = 1979
| debutteam  = Toronto Blue Jays
|finalleague = MLB
| finaldate  = September 22
| finalyear  = 1981
| finalteam  = Toronto Blue Jays
|statleague = MLB
| stat1label = [[Batting average (baseball)|Batting average]]
| stat1value = .220
| stat2label = [[Home run]]s
| stat2value = 2
| stat3label = [[Run batted in|Runs batted in]]
| stat3value = 37
| teams      =
* [[Toronto Blue Jays]] ({{mlby|1979}}–{{mlby|1981}})
}}
'''Daniel Ray Ainge''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|eɪ|n|dʒ}} {{respell|AYNJ}};<ref>[https://vault.si.com/vault/1979/01/29/a-double-danny-dandy-byu-with-sophomore-guard-shortstop-danny-ainge-beat-utah-with-sophomore-forward-danny-vranes-to-win-wasatch-bragging-rights-and-the-wac-lead Jares, Joe. "A double Danny dandy," ''Sports Illustrated'', January 29, 1979.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210413144820/https://vault.si.com/vault/1979/01/29/a-double-danny-dandy-byu-with-sophomore-guard-shortstop-danny-ainge-beat-utah-with-sophomore-forward-danny-vranes-to-win-wasatch-bragging-rights-and-the-wac-lead |date=April 13, 2021 }} Retrieved December 24, 2020</ref> born March 17, 1959) is an American former professional [[basketball]] player, coach, and professional [[baseball]] player who serves as the [[chief executive officer]] for the [[Utah Jazz]] of the [[National Basketball Association]] (NBA). During his 18-year career as general manager for the [[Boston Celtics]], Ainge was known for making bold moves to help the team rebuild, and clearing cap space. He served as the Celtics' president of basketball operations from 2003 until his retirement in 2021.

A three-sport star in high school, Ainge was named to All-America teams in football, basketball, and baseball. At [[Brigham Young University]], he was named [[NABC Player of the Year|national basketball college player of the year]] and won the [[John R. Wooden Award]] for the most outstanding male college basketball player. While in college, Ainge also played parts of three seasons in [[Major League Baseball]] with the [[Toronto Blue Jays]], mostly as a [[second baseman]]. He was then [[1981 NBA draft|drafted into the NBA]] by the Celtics in 1981. Ainge played in the NBA for 14 seasons, playing for the Celtics, [[Portland Trail Blazers]], [[Sacramento Kings]], and [[Phoenix Suns]], primarily as a [[shooting guard]]. He went on to coach the Suns for three seasons before joining management of the Celtics, with whom Ainge has three [[NBA championship]]s to his credit (two as a player, one as a team executive). During his playing career, Ainge appeared in the [[1988 NBA All-Star Game|1988 All-Star Game]]. He was the [[NBA Executive of the Year]] in 2008.

==Early life==
Born and raised in [[Eugene, Oregon]], Ainge was a multi-sport star at [[North Eugene High School]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-04-20 |title=Ainge 'excited for hockey again' with NHL going to Utah {{!}} NHL.com |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/danny-ainge-excited-for-hockey-again-with-nhl-going-to-utah |access-date=2025-04-23 |website=www.nhl.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Coffey |first=Alex |date=2019-08-26 |title=A role model for the ages: Inside the special bond between Danny Ainge and Bobby Doerr |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/1125725/2019/08/26/a-role-model-for-the-ages-inside-the-special-bond-between-danny-ainge-and-bobby-doerr/ |access-date=2025-04-23 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> He&nbsp;led the Highlanders' basketball team to consecutive [[Oregon School Activities Association|AAA state titles]] in 1976 and&nbsp;1977,<ref name="nmif">{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=jaRVAAAAIBAJ&pg=6154%2C3022971 |work=Eugene Register-Guard |location=Oregon |last=Kayfes |first=Dave |title=North makes it final, 52–39 |date=March 14, 1976 |page=1B |access-date=December 30, 2020 |archive-date=August 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220826080104/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=jaRVAAAAIBAJ&pg=6154,3022971 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="slgtom">{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=gNZVAAAAIBAJ&pg=6256%2C2943308 |work=Eugene Register-Guard |location=Oregon |last=Kayfes |first=Dave |title=Highlanders seal Grant's tomb, 56–45 |date=March 13, 1977 |page=1C |access-date=December 30, 2020 |archive-date=August 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220826080105/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=gNZVAAAAIBAJ&pg=6256,2943308 |url-status=live }}</ref> earning all-state honors both years, and was considered one of the top <!--prep-->[[High school football|football]] recruits in Oregon at [[wide receiver]].<ref name=dawhl>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=_atVAAAAIBAJ&pg=4427%2C574760 |work=Eugene Register-Guard |location=Oregon |last=Kayfes |first=Dave |title=Dan Ainge was Highlanders' man for all seasons |date=June 3, 1976 |page=5C |access-date=December 30, 2020 |archive-date=August 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220826080105/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=_atVAAAAIBAJ&pg=4427,574760 |url-status=live }}</ref> As&nbsp;a junior, Ainge was named to the 1977 [[Parade (magazine)|''Parade'']] High School All-America team, and is the only person in history to be a high school first team All-American in football, basketball, and baseball.<ref>{{cite web | title=The Many Names of Danny Ainge | accessdate=March 28, 2023 | url=https://magazine.byu.edu/article/the-many-names-of-danny-ainge/ | publisher=Brigham Young University | quote=Disdain for Ainge and the annoying fact that his teams kept winning started building in high school as he led his basketball team to back-to-back Oregon state championships. Naturally, opposing teams found it hard to like the only high school athlete ever to be named a first-team All-American in football, baseball, and basketball. | archive-date=July 28, 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170728175221/https://magazine.byu.edu/article/the-many-names-of-danny-ainge/ | url-status=live }}</ref>

== College career ==
[[File:Danny_Ainge_BYU.jpg|thumb|left|175px|Ainge as a freshman at BYU (1978–79)]]
Ainge played [[college basketball]] at [[BYU Cougars men's basketball|Brigham Young University]] (BYU) in [[Provo,&nbsp;Utah]]. He hit one of the best-known shots in the [[1981 NCAA Division I Basketball Tournament|1981 NCAA tournament]], against [[1980–81 Notre Dame Fighting Irish men's basketball team|Notre&nbsp;Dame]] in&nbsp;[[Omni Coliseum|Atlanta]] in the Sweet&nbsp;Sixteen, when his coast-to-coast drive and lay-up with two seconds remaining gave the [[1980–81 BYU Cougars men's basketball team|Cougars]] a one-point win.<ref name=cnclilu>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=dvdLAAAAIBAJ&pg=4047%2C1439975 |work=Spokesman-Review |location=Spokane, Washington |agency=Associated Press |title=BYU cancels Irish luck |date=March 20, 1981 |page=38 |access-date=December 30, 2020 |archive-date=August 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220826080103/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=dvdLAAAAIBAJ&pg=4047,1439975 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=lviecr>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=CxVWAAAAIBAJ&pg=6124%2C5863752 |work=Eugene Register-Guard |location=Oregon |agency=wire service reports |title=Danny leaves Irish eyes crying |date=March 20, 1981 |page=1B |access-date=December 30, 2020 |archive-date=August 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220826080104/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=CxVWAAAAIBAJ&pg=6124,5863752 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=mddsh>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=wkpTAAAAIBAJ&pg=3984%2C5513702 |work=Deseret News |location=Salt Lake City, Utah |last=Rock |first=Brad |title=Ainge's mad dash sets up BYU-Cavs |date=March 20, 1981 |page=D1 |access-date=December 30, 2020 |archive-date=August 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220826080106/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=wkpTAAAAIBAJ&pg=3984,5513702 |url-status=live }}</ref> Ainge concluded his senior year by winning the Eastman Award, as well as the [[John R. Wooden Award]]—given to the best collegiate player in the nation. During his four-year career at BYU, Ainge was an All-American, a two-time First Team Academic All-American, the WAC Player of the Year and a four-time All-WAC selection. He concluded his college career having scored in double figures in 112 consecutive games, an NCAA record at that time.{{citation needed|date=May 2020}}

==Baseball career==
=== Toronto Blue Jays (1979–1981) ===
Ainge was selected in baseball's [[1977 Major League Baseball draft|1977 amateur draft]] by the [[Toronto Blue Jays]]. He made it to the major leagues with the Blue Jays in {{mlby|1979}} while still in college. Mostly a second baseman, Ainge played third base and outfield positions as well, hitting .220 in his baseball career with two [[home run]]s and 146 hits in 211 games. Ainge is the second-youngest player in Blue Jays history to hit a home run, at 20 years and 77 days, surpassed only by [[Vladimir Guerrero Jr.]]

After three years with the Blue Jays, Ainge decided to pursue a career in basketball and was drafted by the [[Boston Celtics]] in the second round (31st overall) of the [[1981 NBA draft]], who had to buy out Ainge's contract from the Blue Jays after a legal battle.

Ainge is one of 13 athletes who have played in the [[National Basketball Association]] and [[Major League Baseball]], along with [[Frank Baumholtz]], [[Hank Biasatti]], [[Gene Conley]], [[Chuck Connors]], [[Dave DeBusschere]], [[Dick Groat]], [[Steve Hamilton (sportsman, born 1934)|Steve Hamilton]], 
[[Mark Hendrickson]], [[Cotton Nash]], [[Ron Reed]], [[Dick Ricketts]], and [[Howie Schultz]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.baseball-almanac.com/legendary/baseball_and_basketball_players.shtml |title=Baseball and Basketball (NBA) Players |publisher=Baseball-almanac.com |access-date=June 1, 2019 |archive-date=January 19, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190119121159/http://www.baseball-almanac.com/legendary/baseball_and_basketball_players.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Basketball career==
=== Boston Celtics (1981–1989) ===
Not everything went well for Ainge in NBA basketball at first. He had a terrible first day of practice, "shooting 0–2547", [[Larry Bird]] wrote in his autobiography ''Drive: The Story of My Life.'' Celtics head coach [[Bill Fitch]] gave Ainge a rough time, saying his batting average was better than his shooting percentage on the basketball court. But Ainge became an important player for the Celtics teams that won NBA titles in [[1984 NBA Finals|1984]] and [[1986 NBA Finals|1986]].

Ainge played sparingly during his rookie season (1981–82), but broke into the starting lineup in his second year, averaging 9.9 points per game. However, new coach [[K.C. Jones]] moved Ainge back to the bench in his third season (1983–84), starting [[Gerald Henderson]] instead. Ainge remained an important role player off the bench, helping the Celtics defeat the rival [[Los Angeles Lakers]] in the NBA Finals that year. The Celtics traded Henderson to [[Seattle SuperSonics|Seattle]] in the off-season, returning Ainge to the starting guard position opposite [[Dennis Johnson]]. Ainge responded by averaging 12.9 points and 5.3 assists per game in 1984–85. He remained a starter for the Celtics for most of the next five seasons. The Celtics won the championship again in 1985–86; that team is widely considered to be one of the greatest in NBA history. In 1986–87, Ainge finished second in the NBA in free throw shooting (89.7%) and third in 3-point shooting (44.3%). The following year, he made 148 3-pointers, shattering the previous NBA single-season record of 92 held by [[Darrell Griffith]] of the [[Utah Jazz]]. Ainge made his only appearance in the [[NBA All-Star Game]] that year, scoring 12 points.

=== Sacramento Kings (1989–1990) ===
In 1989, Ainge was traded to the [[Sacramento Kings]], along with [[Brad Lohaus]], for young center [[Joe Kleine]] (whom the Celtics saw as a possible successor to the aging [[Robert Parish]]) and [[Ed Pinckney]]. Now a featured player on a team with no superstars, Ainge averaged 20.3 points and 6.7 assists per game in that half-season with the Kings. He scored 45 points for the Kings in a loss to the [[Golden State Warriors]], matching a career high that he had set just a few months prior against the [[Philadelphia 76ers]] while still playing for the Celtics at that time.

=== Portland Trail Blazers (1990–1992) ===
In 1990, Ainge was traded to the [[Portland Trail Blazers]] for [[Byron Irvin]] and draft picks. Being a native of Oregon, he was considered a hometown favorite by Blazers fans. On May 5, 1992, Ainge played an important role in the highest scoring NBA postseason game of all time, scoring 25 points and hitting multiple key shots during a 153–151 double overtime win over the [[Phoenix Suns]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-05-12-sp-1857-story.html |title=Trail Blazers' Win One for the Books : NBA: Portland's 153-151 victory over Phoenix is highest-scoring playoff game ever |website=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=May 12, 1992 |access-date=January 30, 2023 |archive-date=January 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230130204143/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-05-12-sp-1857-story.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The win gave the Blazers a three games to one game lead in the [[1992 NBA playoffs|Western Conference Semifinals]]. Ainge would go on to help the Blazers reach the [[1992 NBA Finals]], but they would succumb to the [[Chicago Bulls]] in six games. On June 5, he scored nine points in the extra period to tie an all-time NBA record for most points in an [[overtime (sports)|overtime]] during a finals game.

=== Phoenix Suns (1992–1995) ===
After the [[1991–92 NBA season|1991–92 season]], Ainge became a free agent. He had stated in media interviews that he ideally wanted to stay in Portland and would contact Blazers management before seriously entertaining offers from other teams. However, on July 1, 1992, Ainge signed a contract with the Phoenix Suns on his first day of free agency. Ainge averaged 11.8 points per game as the Suns went 62–20 that year and reached the [[1993 NBA Finals|NBA finals]], where they lost to the Bulls in six games.

On January 18, 1994, he became the second player in NBA history to hit 900 three-point shots (he made 1,002 three-pointers for his career), and he scored 11,964 points for an average of 11.5 points per game, 2,768 rebounds for an average of 2.7, and 4,199 assists, an average of four per game, over 1,042 NBA games.

Ainge retired after the [[1994–95 NBA season|1994–95 season]]. At the time of his retirement, he had the highest personal winning percentage in NBA history among players with at least 1,000 career games, edging out [[Kareem Abdul-Jabbar]] 69.0% to 68.8%. Ainge was inducted into the [[Oregon Sports Hall of Fame]] in 1999.

===Reputation===
Throughout his playing career, Ainge was known as a brash, hard-nosed player. In a [[1983 NBA Playoffs|1983]] playoff game against the [[Atlanta Hawks]], he called {{Height|ft=7|in=1}} [[Tree Rollins]] a "[[sissy]]", whereupon Rollins elbowed Ainge in the face. Ainge tackled Rollins and the two began wrestling. Rollins bit Ainge's middle finger so hard that it required two stitches to keep the tendon together. Ainge was ejected from the contest for starting the fight. The incident prompted the headline "Tree Bites Man" on the April 25, 1983, ''[[Boston Herald]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://nesn.com/2012/04/tree-bites-man-entered-basketball-lexicon-29-years-ago-tuesday-when-tree-rollins-bit-danny-ainge/ |title='Tree Bites Man' Entered Basketball Lexicon 29 Years Ago Tuesday When Tree Rollins Bit Danny Ainge |date=April 24, 2012 |access-date=August 3, 2016 |archive-date=August 26, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160826061115/http://nesn.com/2012/04/tree-bites-man-entered-basketball-lexicon-29-years-ago-tuesday-when-tree-rollins-bit-danny-ainge/ |url-status=live }}</ref> While playing for the Phoenix Suns in the 1993 season, Ainge got into a tussle with [[Michael Jordan]] at midcourt; both were given a technical foul. In a 1994 postseason game, Ainge rifled an inbounding pass at the head of [[Houston Rockets]] guard [[Mario Elie]], striking him in the face and snapping his neck back.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/05/18/sports/sports-people-basketball-suns-ainge-is-fined-5000-by-nba.html |title=Basketball Suns Ainge is Fined $5,000 by NBA |date=May 18, 1995 |work=[[The New York Times]] |access-date=April 18, 2009 |archive-date=October 22, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161022121649/http://www.nytimes.com/1994/05/18/sports/sports-people-basketball-suns-ainge-is-fined-5000-by-nba.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NN1gfT2IUuo| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120404185204/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NN1gfT2IUuo&gl=US&hl=en| archive-date=April 4, 2012 | url-status=dead|title=Ainge vs Mario Ellie (1994 West Semis) – Danny doesn't forget (by Sole Records)|date=August 23, 2011|access-date=January 2, 2016|via=YouTube}}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-23r2TLNA0| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211117/n-23r2TLNA0| archive-date=November 17, 2021 | url-status=live|title=Danny Ainge Hits Mario Ellie RIGHT IN THE FACE!!! BOOOOOM|date=August 16, 2012|access-date=January 2, 2016|via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Ainge is still known to some as "The Moaning Mormon".

==Coaching career==
Ainge rejoined the Phoenix Suns as an assistant to head coach [[Cotton Fitzsimmons]] in May 1996.<ref name=nyt96>{{cite web |title=Fitzsimmons Opts to Step Aside; Ainge Will Take Over 0-8 Suns |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/11/15/sports/fitzsimmons-opts-to-step-aside-ainge-will-take-over-0-8-suns.html |website=The New York Times |access-date=November 29, 2023 |date=November 15, 1996 |archive-date=November 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221118234446/https://www.nytimes.com/1996/11/15/sports/fitzsimmons-opts-to-step-aside-ainge-will-take-over-0-8-suns.html |url-status=live }}</ref> On November 14, 1996, Fitzsimmons retired after the Suns started the season with an 0–8 record and Ainge was appointed as his replacement.<ref name=nyt96 /> During his first season coaching the Suns, Ainge got into an on-court altercation with player [[Robert Horry]], which led to Horry throwing a towel at Ainge afterward. This incident eventually forced the Suns to trade Horry to the [[Los Angeles Lakers]] for Ainge's old teammate [[Cedric Ceballos]]. Despite early struggles, Ainge would lead the Suns into the [[1997 NBA playoffs]] after they started the season with a 0–13 record.

On December 14, 1999, Ainge resigned as head coach of the Suns; he cited a need to spend more time with his family. Ainge had accumulated a 136–90 record during his stint as head coach. Ainge was replaced by assistant coach [[Scott Skiles]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Suns' Ainge Resigns, Cites Family Matters |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1999/12/14/suns-ainge-resigns-cites-family-matters/5a5a22b8-ccf5-4e83-ae73-82e9f58f8a47/ |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=November 29, 2023 |date=December 14, 1999}}</ref>

==Executive career==
===Boston Celtics executive===
In 2003, Ainge was hired as the executive director of Basketball Operations for the Celtics. He has often been controversial in his role as a Celtics executive, trading popular players such as three-time All-Star [[Antoine Walker]] (earning himself the nickname "Trader Danny") and having personality conflicts with then-head coach [[Jim O'Brien (basketball, born 1952)|Jim O'Brien]] (which eventually led to O'Brien's departure to the [[Philadelphia 76ers]]). However, Ainge kept the support of both the Celtics' ownership group and—perhaps most importantly—legendary former head coach [[Red Auerbach]], who was employed by the team as a "senior assistant" until his death in October 2006.

The 2006–07 Celtics finished with a 24–58 record, [[Boston Celtics seasons|second-worst in the team's history]]. Following the season, [[Paul Pierce]], team captain and face of the franchise, expressed frustration with the team's failures. He requested a trade to a contender if management were unable to acquire veteran talent of Pierce's caliber.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.aol.com/sports/|title=Sports News & latest headlines from AOL|last=AOL|website=AOL.com|language=en|access-date=February 27, 2020|archive-date=February 9, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180209182029/https://www.aol.com/sports/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Ainge responded with two bold moves that changed the franchise's fortunes almost overnight: the 2007 trades for the [[Minnesota Timberwolves]]' [[Kevin Garnett]] and the [[Seattle SuperSonics]]' [[Ray Allen]] immediately returned the Celtics to the ranks of the NBA's elite franchises for the first time since the early 1990s. Together with Pierce, they formed a new "Big Three" and led the Celtics to the NBA's best record (66–16) during the [[2007–08 Boston Celtics season|2007–08 season]]. It was the most dramatic single-season improvement in league history (42 wins more than the previous year), and it earned Ainge the [[NBA Executive of the Year Award]].

Boston faced the Los Angeles Lakers in the [[2008 NBA Finals]], renewing the long rivalry between the two teams. The Celtics won in six games, giving the franchise its 17th NBA championship. Ainge held the trophy for the first time since winning in 1986. In October 2008, after the Celtics' championship season, he was promoted to President of Basketball Operations.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=3668383|title=Boston Celtics extend deal of president of basketball operations Danny Ainge|work=ESPN.com|date=October 28, 2008|access-date=January 2, 2016|archive-date=November 6, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151106070217/http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3668383|url-status=live}}</ref>

On May 3, 2010, Ainge was fined $25,000 for tossing a towel to distract then [[Cleveland Cavaliers]] forward [[JJ Hickson]] shooting a free throw during Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/boston/nba/news/story?id=5167992 |title=2010 NBA playoffs: Danny Ainge, Boston Celtics GM, fined $25K for towel antics |publisher=[[ESPN]] |date=May 7, 2010 |access-date=June 1, 2019 |archive-date=May 8, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100508013226/http://sports.espn.go.com/boston/nba/news/story?id=5167992 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2013, Ainge traded Garnett and Pierce, along with [[Jason Terry]] and [[D. J. White|D.J. White]], to the [[Brooklyn Nets]] in exchange for five players plus the Nets' first-round picks in 2014, 2016, and 2018.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/fancy-stats/wp/2017/05/18/worst-nba-trade-ever-2014-nets-celtics-trade-would-have-to-outdo-these-four-duds/|title=Analysis {{!}} Worst NBA trade ever? 2014 Nets-Celtics trade would have to outdo these four duds.|first=Neil|last=Greenberg|newspaper=Washington Post|access-date=August 4, 2017|archive-date=August 5, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170805063829/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/fancy-stats/wp/2017/05/18/worst-nba-trade-ever-2014-nets-celtics-trade-would-have-to-outdo-these-four-duds/|url-status=live}}</ref> Boston also received the rights to swap picks with Brooklyn in 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/nets/news/nets-acquire-nba-champions-kevin-garnett-paul-pierce-and-jason-terry|title=Nets Acquire NBA Champions Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Jason Terry|website=The Official Site of the Brooklyn Nets|language=en|access-date=August 4, 2017|archive-date=July 15, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130715073853/http://www.nba.com/nets/news/nets-acquire-nba-champions-kevin-garnett-paul-pierce-and-jason-terry|url-status=live}}</ref> It is widely considered one of the most lopsided trades in league history, in favor of the Celtics, as the players from the trade became franchise cornerstones [[Jayson Tatum]] and [[Jaylen Brown]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/fancy-stats/wp/2017/05/18/worst-nba-trade-ever-2014-nets-celtics-trade-would-have-to-outdo-these-four-duds/|title=Analysis {{!}} Worst NBA trade ever? 2014 Nets-Celtics trade would have to outdo these four duds.|newspaper=Washington Post|access-date=August 4, 2017|archive-date=August 5, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170805063829/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/fancy-stats/wp/2017/05/18/worst-nba-trade-ever-2014-nets-celtics-trade-would-have-to-outdo-these-four-duds/|url-status=live}}</ref> The trade would ultimately be instrumental in helping the Celtics win the [[2024 NBA Finals]] long after Ainge left the team.

On August 22, 2017, Ainge made another blockbuster deal, trading All-Star point guard [[Isaiah Thomas (basketball)|Isaiah Thomas]], as well as [[Jae Crowder]], [[Ante Žižić]] and the rights to the Nets' 2018 first-round draft pick, to the Cleveland Cavaliers for All-Star [[Kyrie Irving]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Celtics Acquire Four-Time All-Star Kyrie Irving|url=http://www.nba.com/celtics/news/pressrelease/celtics-acquire-four-time-all-star-kyrie-irving|work=NBA.com|date=August 22, 2017|access-date=August 22, 2017|archive-date=August 31, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170831181509/http://www.nba.com/celtics/news/pressrelease/celtics-acquire-four-time-all-star-kyrie-irving/|url-status=live}}</ref> Eight days later, the deal also included a 2020 second round pick from the [[Miami Heat]] as compensation relating to a prior injury to Thomas.<ref>{{cite web|title=Celtics, Cavaliers Complete Trade|url=http://www.nba.com/celtics/news/pressrelease/statement-boston-celtics|website=NBA.com|date=August 30, 2017|access-date=December 30, 2018|archive-date=September 11, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170911162849/http://www.nba.com/celtics/news/pressrelease/statement-boston-celtics/|url-status=live}}</ref> This move, however, wouldn't be as successful for the Celtics by comparison, as Irving would eventually leave the Celtics for the [[Brooklyn Nets]] after two seasons of play for them. Irving would, however, later play for the Celtics' opponents in the 2024 NBA Finals, the [[Dallas Mavericks]].

On June 2, 2021, Ainge announced his retirement and named head coach [[Brad Stevens]] as his replacement as President of Basketball Operations.<ref>{{Cite press release|title=Danny Ainge Announces Retirement; Brad Stevens Promoted to President of Basketball Operations|date=June 2, 2021|publisher=[[National Basketball Association]]|location=[[Boston]], [[Massachusetts]]|url=https://www.nba.com/celtics/news/pressrelease/danny-ainge-announces-retirement-brad-stevens-promoted-president-basketball|access-date=June 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602154528/https://www.nba.com/celtics/news/pressrelease/danny-ainge-announces-retirement-brad-stevens-promoted-president-basketball|archive-date=June 2, 2021}}</ref> Ainge helped return the Celtics to the status of consistent contenders, guiding the team to 15 playoff appearances in 18 seasons at the helm after the team had only reached the postseason four times in 11 years prior to his arrival.

===Utah Jazz executive===
On December 15, 2021, Ainge was hired as the CEO of basketball operations and alternate governor of the [[Utah Jazz]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Kostecka |first1=Ryan |title=Danny Ainge Returns Home To Elevate Utah Basketball |url=https://www.nba.com/jazz/news/danny-ainge-returns-home-elevate-utah-basketball |website=NBA.com |access-date=July 6, 2022 |date=December 15, 2021 |archive-date=July 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220716105534/https://www.nba.com/jazz/news/danny-ainge-returns-home-elevate-utah-basketball |url-status=live }}</ref>

Ainge's first transaction was hiring the new head coach [[Will Hardy]] after [[Quin Snyder]] announced his resignation as head coach. In the 2022 NBA offseason, Ainge traded [[Rudy Gobert]] to Minnesota and [[Donovan Mitchell]] to Cleveland. In return of these two major trades, the Jazz received [[Lauri Markkanen]], [[Collin Sexton]] (via sign-and-trade), [[Malik Beasley]], [[Jarred Vanderbilt]], rights to the 14th and the 22nd picks ([[Ochai Agbaji]] and [[Walker Kessler]]) respectively, seven first round picks and four first round pick swaps.{{citation needed|date=June 2024}} Ainge's third move was at the 2023 Trade Deadline. To clear cap space, he traded [[Mike Conley Jr.|Mike Conley]] to Minnesota, and [[Malik Beasley]] and [[Jarred Vanderbilt]] to the [[Los Angeles Lakers|Lakers]]. In return, the Jazz received [[Russell Westbrook]] (who later bought out the contract to sign with the Clippers), [[Juan Toscano-Anderson]], [[Damian Jones (basketball)|Damian Jones]] and a 2027 first round pick. Ainge also signed young prospects [[Kris Dunn]], [[Luka Samanic]], and [[Vernon Carey Jr]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://kslsports.com/500570/utah-jazz-2023-offseason-primer/ | title=Jazz 2023 Offseason Rich with Draft Picks, Salary Cap Space | date=April 17, 2023 | access-date=July 10, 2023 | archive-date=July 10, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230710020527/https://kslsports.com/500570/utah-jazz-2023-offseason-primer/ | url-status=live }}</ref>

==Other pursuits==
In 1996, Ainge made an appearance in the sports comedy film ''[[Space Jam]]'', playing himself while as a member of the [[Phoenix Suns]]. While only a brief appearance, Ainge was dubbed "The Bad Shot Guy" after catching and shooting the ball at the same time while [[Charles Barkley]] roamed the court after having his skills stolen by the Monstars.

While a player with the Suns, Ainge opened a national chain of hat stores which he has since sold.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Gallen |first1=Tim |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/news/2014/03/06/tempes-hat-club-lands-private-capital.html |title=Tempe's Hat Club lands private capital to spur expansion |website=www.bizjournals.com |publisher=Phoenix Business Journal |access-date=June 1, 2019 |date=March 6, 2014 |archive-date=June 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210618170904/https://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/news/2014/03/06/tempes-hat-club-lands-private-capital.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Ainge has volunteered at a number of charitable organizations. Ainge also served as a commentator for the ''[[NBA on TNT]]''.

==Personal life==
Ainge and his wife, Michelle, reside in [[Wellesley, Massachusetts]]; they have six children, one of whom, [[Austin Ainge|Austin]], is president of basketball operations<ref>{{cite web | title=Jazz hire Ainge's son away from C's as president | date=June 2, 2025 | url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/45434542/jazz-hire-celtics-austin-ainge-president-basketball-ops }}</ref> for the [[Utah Jazz]] and like his father, played basketball at [[BYU]]. Another of his sons, [[Tanner Ainge|Tanner]], served as a [[Utah County, Utah|Utah County]] Commissioner and ran unsuccessfully for Utah’s 3rd congressional district in [[2017 Utah's 3rd congressional district special election|2017]], losing in the [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] primary election to the eventual winner, future [[United States Senator|Senator]] [[John Curtis]].

Ainge's nephew, [[Erik Ainge]], was the starting quarterback on the football team at the [[University of Tennessee]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/new-york/columns/story?columnist=cimini_rich&id=6267822|title=New York Jets QB Erik Ainge opens up about his years of drug abuse and his ongoing battle with addiction and mental illness|work=ESPN.com|date=March 29, 2011|access-date=January 2, 2016|archive-date=May 11, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110511110131/http://sports.espn.go.com/new-york/columns/story?columnist=cimini_rich&id=6267822|url-status=live}}</ref> and was selected by the [[New York Jets]] in the 5th round of the [[2008 NFL draft]]. Another nephew, [[Jake Toolson]], played the shooting guard position for [[2019–20 BYU Cougars men's basketball team|BYU]] and signed an Exhibit-10 contract with the [[Utah Jazz]] in 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|date=November 25, 2020|title=Utah Jazz sign Jake Toolson|url=https://www.nba.com/jazz/news/utah-jazz-sign-jake-toolson|url-status=live|access-date=June 5, 2021|website=The Official Website of the Utah Jazz|publisher=[[National Basketball Association]]|language=|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201126011741/https://www.nba.com/jazz/news/utah-jazz-sign-jake-toolson |archive-date=November 26, 2020 }}</ref>

Ainge and his family are active members of [[the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]], in which Ainge served as a bishop.

Ainge had a mild [[myocardial infarction|heart attack]] in 2009,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/2009/playoffs2009/04/16/ainge.heart.ap/index.html|title=NBA.com: Celtics GM Danny Ainge has mild heart attack|website=[[NBA.com]]|access-date=January 2, 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151220104230/http://www.nba.com/2009/playoffs2009/04/16/ainge.heart.ap/index.html|archive-date=December 20, 2015}}</ref>
and another in 2019.<ref>{{cite web |title=Danny Ainge Expected To Make Full Recovery After Suffering Mild Heart Attack |url=https://boston.cbslocal.com/2019/05/02/celtics-danny-ainge-mild-heart-attack-milwaukeenba-playoffs/ |website=CBS Boston |access-date=May 3, 2019 |date=May 2, 2019 |archive-date=May 2, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190502202320/https://boston.cbslocal.com/2019/05/02/celtics-danny-ainge-mild-heart-attack-milwaukeenba-playoffs/ |url-status=live }}</ref> He has [[attention deficit hyperactivity disorder|ADHD]], according to a personality test Ainge took when Doc Rivers was coaching the Celtics.<ref>{{Cite web |last=MacMullan |first=Jackie  |author-link=Jackie MacMullan |date=August 22, 2018 |title=To medicate or not? The thorny mental health issue in the NBA |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/24383926/jackie-macmullan-ocd-adhd-medication-marijuana-nba-mental-health |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200215184738/https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/24383926/jackie-macmullan-ocd-adhd-medication-marijuana-nba-mental-health |archive-date=February 15, 2020 |access-date=June 7, 2019 |website=ESPN.com}}</ref>

==NBA career statistics==
{{NBA player statistics legend|champion=y}}

===Regular season===
{{NBA player statistics start}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|1981}}
| style="text-align:left;"| [[1981–82 Boston Celtics season|Boston]]
| 53 || 1 || 10.6 || .357 || .294 || .862 || 1.1 || 1.6 || 0.7 || 0.1 || 4.1
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|1982}}
| style="text-align:left;"| [[1982–83 Boston Celtics season|Boston]]
| 80 || 76 || 25.6 || .496 || .172 || .742 || 2.7 || 3.1 || 1.4 || 0.1 || 9.9
|-
|  style="text-align:left; background:#afe6ba;"| {{nbay|1983}}†
| style="text-align:left;"| [[1983–84 Boston Celtics season|Boston]]
| 71 || 3 || 16.3 || .460 || .273 || .821 || 1.6 || 2.3 || 0.6 || 0.1 || 5.4
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{nowrap|{{nbay|1984}}}}
| style="text-align:left;"| [[1984–85 Boston Celtics season|Boston]]
| 75 || 73 || 34.2 || '''.529''' || .268 || .868 || 3.6 || 5.3 || '''1.6''' || 0.1 || 12.9
|-
|  style="text-align:left; background:#afe6ba;"| {{nbay|1985}}†
| style="text-align:left;"| [[1985–86 Boston Celtics season|Boston]]
| 80 || 78 || 30.1 || .504 || .356 || '''.904''' || 2.9 || 5.1 || 1.2 || 0.1 || 10.7
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|1986}}
| style="text-align:left;"| [[1986–87 Boston Celtics season|Boston]]
| 71 || 66 || 35.2 || .486 || '''.443''' || .897 || 3.4 || 5.6 || 1.4 || 0.2 || 14.8
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|1987}}
| style="text-align:left;"| [[1987–88 Boston Celtics season|Boston]]
| '''81''' || '''81''' || '''37.3''' || .491 || .415 || .878 || 3.1 || 6.2 || 1.4 || 0.2 || 15.7
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|1988}}
| style="text-align:left;"| [[1988–89 Boston Celtics season|Boston]]
| 45 || 28 || 30.0 || .460 || .374 || .891 || 3.4 || 4.8 || 1.2 || 0.0 || 15.9
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{Nbay|1988}}
| style="text-align:left;"| [[1988–89 Sacramento Kings season|Sacramento]]
| 28 || 26 || 36.7 || .452 || .387 || .813 || 3.6 || '''6.7''' || 1.5 || '''0.3''' || '''20.3'''
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|1989}}
| style="text-align:left;"| [[1989–90 Sacramento Kings season|Sacramento]]
| 75 || 68 || 36.4 || .438 || .374 || .831 || '''4.3''' || 6.0 || 1.5 || 0.2 || 17.9
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|1990}}
| style="text-align:left;"| [[1990–91 Portland Trail Blazers season|Portland]]
| 80 || 0 || 21.4 || .472 || .406 || .826 || 2.6 || 3.6 || 0.8 || 0.2 || 11.1
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|1991}}
| style="text-align:left;"| [[1991–92 Portland Trail Blazers season|Portland]]
| '''81''' || 6 || 19.7 || .442 || .339 || .824 || 1.8 || 2.5 || 0.9 || 0.2 || 9.7
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|1992}}
| style="text-align:left;"| [[1992–93 Phoenix Suns season|Phoenix]]
| 80 || 0 || 27.0 || .462 || .403 || .848 || 2.7 || 3.3 || 0.9 || 0.1 || 11.8
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|1993}}
| style="text-align:left;"| [[1993–94 Phoenix Suns season|Phoenix]]
| 68 || 1 || 22.9 || .417 || .328 || .830 || 1.9 || 2.6 || 0.8 || 0.1 || 8.9
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|1994}}
| style="text-align:left;"| [[1994–95 Phoenix Suns season|Phoenix]]
| 74 || 1 || 18.6 || .460 || .364 || .808 || 1.5 || 2.8 || 0.6 || 0.1 || 7.7
|- class=sortbottom
| style="text-align:center;" colspan=2| '''Career'''<ref name="Danny Ainge">[https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/a/aingeda01.html Danny Ainge] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110805075907/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/a/aingeda01.html |date=August 5, 2011 }}, basketball-reference.com. Retrieved October 1, 2012.</ref>
| 1042 || 508 || 26.6 || .469 || .378 || .846 || 2.7 || 4.0 || 1.1 || 0.1 || 11.5
|- class="sortbottom"
| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"| All-Star
| 1 || 0 || 19.0 || .364 || .750 || .500 || 3.0 || 2.0 || 1.0 || 0.0 || 12.0
{{S-end}}

===Playoffs===
{{NBA player statistics start}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| [[1982 NBA Playoffs|1982]]
| style="text-align:left;"| [[1981–82 Boston Celtics season|Boston]]
| 10 || 0 || 12.9 || .422 || '''.500''' || .769 || 1.3 || 1.1 || 0.2 || 0.1 || 5.0
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| [[1983 NBA Playoffs|1983]]
| style="text-align:left;"| [[1982–83 Boston Celtics season|Boston]]
| 7 || 7 || 28.7 || .389 || .400 || .727 || 2.0 || 3.6 || 0.7 || 0.1 || 9.4
|-
|  style="text-align:left; background:#afe6ba;"| [[1984 NBA Playoffs|1984]]†
| style="text-align:left;"| [[1983–84 Boston Celtics season|Boston]]
| 19 || 0 || 13.3 || .456 || .222 || .700 || 0.8 || 2.0 || 0.5 || 0.1 || 4.8
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| [[1985 NBA Playoffs|1985]]
| style="text-align:left;"| [[1984–85 Boston Celtics season|Boston]]
| 21 || '''21''' || 32.7 || .466 || .438 || .769 || 2.8 || 5.8 || 1.5 || 0.0 || 11.0
|-
|  style="text-align:left; background:#afe6ba;"| [[1986 NBA Playoffs|1986]]†
| style="text-align:left;"| [[1985–86 Boston Celtics season|Boston]]
| 18 || 18 || 36.2 || '''.554''' || .412 || .867 || '''4.2''' || 5.2 || '''2.3''' || 0.1 || '''15.6'''
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| [[1987 NBA Playoffs|1987]]
| style="text-align:left;"| [[1986–87 Boston Celtics season|Boston]]
| 20 || 19 || 38.1 || .487 || .438 || .861 || 2.6 || 4.6 || 1.2 || '''0.2''' || 14.8
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| [[1988 NBA Playoffs|1988]]
| style="text-align:left;"| [[1987–88 Boston Celtics season|Boston]]
| 17 || 17 || '''39.4''' || .386 || .328 || .881 || 3.1 || '''6.4''' || 0.5 || 0.1 || 11.6
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| [[1991 NBA Playoffs|1991]]
| style="text-align:left;"| [[1990–91 Portland Trail Blazers season|Portland]]
| 16 || 0 || 17.3 || .448 || .306 || .821 || 1.8 || 1.9 || 0.8 || '''0.2''' || 8.0
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| [[1992 NBA Playoffs|1992]]
| style="text-align:left;"| [[1991–92 Portland Trail Blazers season|Portland]]
| 21 || 0 || 21.4 || .479 || .404 || .830 || 1.9 || 2.3 || 0.7 || 0.0 || 10.6
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| [[1993 NBA Playoffs|1993]]
| style="text-align:left;"| [[1992–93 Phoenix Suns season|Phoenix]]
| '''24''' || 0 || 24.6 || .376 || .413 || .872 || 2.5 || 2.3 || 0.5 || 0.1 || 8.1
|-
|  style="text-align:left;"| [[1994 NBA Playoffs|1994]]
| style="text-align:left;"| [[1993–94 Phoenix Suns season|Phoenix]]
| 10|| 0 || 23.0 || .458 || .425 || .714 || 2.3 || 2.1 || 0.6 || 0.1 || 8.6
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| [[1995 NBA Playoffs|1995]]
| style="text-align:left;"| [[1994–95 Phoenix Suns season|Phoenix]]
| 10 || 0 || 13.7 || .500 || .462 || '''.909''' || 1.0 || 1.0 || 0.5 || 0.0 || 6.0
|- class=sortbottom
| style="text-align:center;" colspan=2| '''Career'''<ref name="Danny Ainge"/>
| 193 || 82 || 26.1 || .456 || .397 || .829 || 2.3 || 3.4 || 0.9 || 0.1 || 9.9
|-
{{S-end}}

==Head coaching record==
{{NBA coach statistics legend}}

{{NBA coach statistics start}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1996–97 Phoenix Suns season|Phoenix]]
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|1996}}
|74||40||34||{{Winning percentage|40|34}}|| style="text-align:center;"|4th in Pacific||5||2||3||{{Winning percentage|2|3}}
| style="text-align:center;"|Lost in [[1997 NBA Playoffs|First Round]]
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1997–98 Phoenix Suns season|Phoenix]]
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|1997}}
|82||56||26||{{Winning percentage|56|26}}|| style="text-align:center;"|3rd in Pacific||4||1||3||{{Winning percentage|1|3}}
| style="text-align:center;"|Lost in [[1998 NBA Playoffs|First Round]]
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1998–99 Phoenix Suns season|Phoenix]]
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|1998}}
|50||27||23||{{Winning percentage|27|23}}|| style="text-align:center;"|3rd in Pacific||3||0||3||{{Winning percentage|0|3}}
| style="text-align:center;"|Lost in [[1999 NBA Playoffs|First Round]]
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1999–2000 Phoenix Suns season|Phoenix]]
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|1999}}
|20||13||7||{{Winning percentage|13|7}}|| style="text-align:center;"|(resigned)||—||—||—||—
| style="text-align:center;"|–
|- class="sortbottom"
| style="text-align:left;"|'''Career'''
| ||226||136||90||{{Winning percentage|136|90}}|| ||12||3||9||{{Winning percentage|3|9}}
{{s-end}}

==See also==
{{Portal|Sports}}
* [[List of NBA career playoff games played leaders]]
* [[List of multi-sport athletes]]
* [[List of National Basketball Association team presidents]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
{{baseballstats |br=a/aingeda01 |brm=ainge-001dan}}
{{basketballstats |nba=76017 |bbr=a/aingeda01}}
* {{BYU athlete|danny-ainge|m|bk}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Ainge, Danny}}
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