On this day in Boston Celtics history, the franchise made one of the most important front-office decisions in modern NBA history by appointing Danny Ainge as the team’s head of basketball operations in 2003.
Ainge stepped into the role following the departure of Chris Wallace, who had overseen basketball operations after taking over from former coach and executive Rick Pitino. What followed was a transformative era for the Celtics.
During his time leading the franchise, Ainge became known across the league for his aggressive and calculated moves in the trade market, earning the nickname “Trader Danny.” His biggest successes included bringing in Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett, key additions that helped Boston capture the 2008 NBA championship and return to the NBA Finals again in 2010.
One of the most talked-about deals of Ainge’s career came in 2013, when he traded franchise icons Paul Pierce and Garnett to the Brooklyn Nets. The trade brought back a package of draft assets that later played a huge role in rebuilding the Celtics into another contender.
After nearly two decades with Boston, Ainge stepped away from the role in 2021 following several difficult seasons that included health concerns and the challenges of navigating the pandemic era. He later joined the Utah Jazz in an executive capacity.
The date also marks the birthday of former Celtics forward Marcus Webb, who was born in Montgomery, Alabama, in 1970.
Webb joined Boston as an undrafted free agent after playing college basketball at Alabama. He appeared in nine games for the Celtics during the 1992-93 season, contributing modestly in limited action.
