Even CEO of basketball operations Danny Ainge is in somewhat disbelief at how the Utah Jazz continues to operate this season in a shocking fashion.
Ainge told Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix that he is “pleasantly surprised” with how the Jazz continues to defy the odds, praising the way how the club has gelled well amid new beginnings for each person involved.
“Not that each individual couldn’t play well,” Ainge said. “I like a lot of the players on our team. But the fact that they’ve jelled so well so early is fun. There is a lot of movement and a lot of guys moving the ball. That’s a fun way to play. And I think they’re all enjoying it very much.”
After shipping out franchise cornerstones Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert, all of the league circles have formed a notion that Utah will indeed enter a new age focused on a rebuild – with French wunderkind Victor Wembanyama being a gigantic prize for next year’s draft selection
But in an unprecedented occurrence, the club has been on a tear so far behind the guidance of rookie mentor Will Hardy, occupying the second-best regular season record so far with a 10-3 record. Veterans Mike Conley and Jordan Clarkson are stellar and productive in their role, with Lauri Markkanen on pace towards a probable All-Star year.
As such, Ainge rejects assumptions that he is unhappy that the Jazz is putting up an unexpected display of winning after the fire sale made last offseason.
“I mean, come on,” Ainge says. “Who would say that? And who would I ever have told that to? Just think about that for a second.
“I’m not commenting on other people’s comments,” says Ainge. “It’s assumed that’s how I feel? Give me a break. I’ve been accused of [building teams to lose] before. It’s never been true.”
With how the team has stockpiled bountiful, boatload assets from the trades of Mitchell and Gobert, Ainge acknowledges that they are not done yet in terms of retooling.
“I wouldn’t discount anything,” Ainge said. “We have a lot of opportunities to make deals with all the picks that we have.”
