SALT LAKE CITY – Newly named President of Basketball Operations Austin Ainge said the Utah Jazz will not be tanking in the 2025-26 season.

Ainge, the son of Jazz CEO Danny Ainge, made the comments during his introductory press conference on Monday at the Zions Bank Basketball Campus.

Related: Jazz Hire Austin Ainge As President Of Basketball Operations

Austin Ainge: Jazz Won’t Tank Next Season

When asked if the Jazz would prioritize losing games to increase their odds of winning the 2026 NBA Draft lottery, Ainge offered a quick response.

“You won’t see that this year,” Ainge said.

The Jazz finished the 2024-25 campaign with the league’s worst record at 17-65. Despite owning the best odds of landing in the top four picks of the draft, the team slipped to fifth in the lottery.

Throug

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