Jazz CEO Danny Ainge Speaks On NBA Prospects, Drafting Mindset
Jun 7, 2025, 5:00 PM
Utah Jazz CEO Danny Ainge answers a question during a press conference at the Zions Bank Basketball Campus in Salt Lake City on Monday, Sept. 12, 2022. (Photo courtesy of Scott G Winterton, Deseret News)
(Photo courtesy of Scott G Winterton, Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY – Utah Jazz CEO of Basketball Operations Danny Ainge has an impressive track record in the NBA Draft, and he hopes to help the Utah Jazz hit on their picks later this month.
Ainge joined DJ and PK on the KSL Sports Zone to talk about the trade market, the young core, the draft, and more.
Danny Ainge Explains His NBA Draft Process
The drafting process is much more complex and nuanced than most might think. At the end of the day, you’re not just drafting a basketball player. You’re drafting a person.
A prospect can have all of the talent in the world, but if they aren’t motivated or don’t have any work ethic, it can end up being a wasted pick.
Because of this, Ainge pointed out what he believes is the most important part of analyzing draft talent.
“More than anything, not so much the interviews, but the time you spend with them,” Ainge explained. “Just talking 1-on-1, having dinner with them, and talking is much better than anything (else). It might be the most valuable part of the draft process that I’ve used over my career.”
The list of players drafted under Ainge’s watchful eye is an impressive one. It includes All-NBA and All-Star names like Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Rajon Rondo, and Al Jefferson. Even some elite-level role players like Marcus Smart and Payton Pritchard.
Just in his time with the Jazz, he had a role in selecting Keyonte George, Taylor Hendricks, and the acquisition of Walker Kessler — all of which are important pieces of the puzzle Utah is attempting to put together.
Obviously, front offices don’t just take the prospect out to dinner and call it a day. But, getting a feel for character holds an underrated importance in the process.
Ainge also listed the entirety of what he looks for and explained that there are rarely players who check every box. Most times, there is a hope that the team can build these players up to turn weaknesses into strengths.
“It’s not easy, you’re looking for a list of things,” Ainge said. “Everybody wants intelligence, feel, toughness, work ethic, and self-motivation. But you also need length, athleticism, and shooting, so there’s a long checklist of characteristics. Very few players check all the boxes. Oftentimes, you might pick a player who doesn’t have two or three of those characteristics. Projecting for the future is tough.”
No one is perfect. That extends from the players to the front office. If Utah uses all four of its picks in the upcoming draft, odds are that every selection won’t be a home run.
RELATED: Jazz ‘Most Likely’ To Make All Four Draft Picks
With that said, the sense around the Jazz organization is cautiously optimistic. With their highest draft pick in over a decade, Utah hopes to add its best prospect yet to an already solid young core.
