The Boston Celtics announced Wednesday that Danny Ainge is retiring and coach Brad Stevens is being promoted to president of basketball operations.
The Celtics will start a search to hire a head coach to replace Stevens. Ainge will work with the team on the transition through the off-season.
Celtics staff were informed of the changes Wednesday morning, sources told ESPN.
Ainge has been contemplating leaving the job for several months and had been talking about possible succession plans with ownership, according to sources.
Ainge also moved from head coaching in the NBA to the front office, with Phoenix.