New Utah Jazz president Austin Ainge had some interesting comments during his first press conference with the team. Fans weren’t exactly buying what he was trying to sell.
On Monday, the Jazz introduced Ainge, son of Utah CEO Danny Ainge, as the team’s new president of basketball operations. The younger Ainge had previously served as assistant general manager for the Boston Celtics.
During his introductory press conference, one reporter asked Austin Ainge if the team planned to tank next season. Ainge had a succinct response.
Reporter: “Some things were done this past season to potentially manipulate where the team ended up in the draft lottery odds. … What is your philosophy, for lack of a better term, tanking?”
Ainge: “You won’t see that this year.”
The Jazz tanking era may be over… pic.twitter.com/QOt1Mscp2f
— Dray Mottishaw (@draymottishaw) June 2, 2025
Several Jazz fans expressed doubt on Ainge’s comments, with many mentioning prized BYU prospect AJ Dybantsa as the biggest reason.
Lies. Their whole plan is to get Dyabantsa
— Wembus (@DiedForOurWins) June 3, 2025
Wizards said this too and I don’t believe it lol, especially not for the jazz with Aj dynbatasa in the 26 class
— •RvW (@ravenwizardd) June 2, 2025
When they see AJ Dybantsa down the road at BYU next season https://t.co/H3JIS0i0bF pic.twitter.com/Rwt8Bc8nYU
— Sha'Kobe O'Bryant (@_BlackerMamba) June 2, 2025
Dybantsa is widely projected to be a top-two pick in the 2026 NBA Draft alongside Kansas incoming freshman Darryn Peterson. Dybantsa’s decision to commit to BYU has fans pegging him as the ideal franchise player to lead the next era of Jazz basketball.
The Jazz’s first-round pick next season is protected from picks 1 to 8. If the selection falls outside the top 8, the Oklahoma City Thunder get the pick. It’s hard to imagine the Jazz playing themselves out of that draft range.
Even if the Jazz plan to tank, Ainge would have zero incentive to admit it, especially just hours after news of his hiring became public. Some Jazz supporters called Austin a “nepotism” hire, which shows the work he has to put in to gain the respect of the team’s fan base.