Brad Stevens moves into front office; Danny Ainge to move on

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Major changes have come to the Celtics' leadership.

Brad Stevens is Boston's new president of basketball operations while Danny Ainge is retiring from the same role, the team announced Wednesday.

Ainge will continue to work with the Celtics on a transition plan this offseason before stepping away from the team, while the C's will begin their search for a new head coach.

ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reports Stevens "welcomed" the transition from head coach to a front office role after a trying season in which the C's finished 36-36 and lost to the Brooklyn Nets in the first round.

Sports Illustrated's Chris Mannix reported earlier Wednesday that Ainge wasn't expected to retire, so while the Celtics said in their announcement Ainge is retiring from his role with Boston, it's possible he tries to find another NBA job in the future.

The 62-year-old had been Boston's de facto general manager since 2003 and was the NBA's third-longest tenured GM behind San Antonio Spurs head coach/president Gregg Popovich and Miami Heat president Pat Riley.

As for Stevens, the 44-year-old will take his first front-office role after eight seasons as Boston's head coach.

"I'm grateful to ownership and to Danny for trusting me with this opportunity," Stevens said in a statement. "I'm excited to tackle this new role, starting with a wide ranging and comprehensive search for our next head coach.

"I love the Celtics, and know the great honor and responsibility that comes with this job. I will give it everything I have to help us be in position to consistently compete for championships."

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