Utah Jazz executive vice president of basketball operations Dennis Lindsay is transitioning into an advisory role for the franchise, the team announced Sunday.
Lindsay joined the Jazz in 2012, serving seven years as general manager and two as executive vice president, overseeing the franchise's rise from a rebuilt team to a No. 1 seed in the Western Conference this season.
The most significant moves of his tenure included the recruitment of head coach Quinn Snyder and a draft-night trade to acquire franchise cornerstones Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell.
"In recent years, I've had conversations with the Miller family and then Ryan Smith when he came on board about moving into an advisory role," Lindsey said in a statement, referring to the Jazz's past and current owners. said. “This is an opportune time to make a change with the organization on such a solid footing.
"I'm proud of the progress we've made in raising the level of competition in the Western Conference. ... I want to contribute to jazz in a different way while enjoying more time with my wife, Becky, and our four children." keen for. ."
Justin Zanick, who was promoted to general manager in 2019, will continue his role overseeing the Jazz's day-to-day basketball operations. Sources told ESPN that Smith, who bought the Jazz in 2020, hopes to use Lindsay's departure as an opportunity to see Utah consolidate a front office that has traditionally been lean in numbers. is.
Lindsay finished second in Voting of the Year this season, when the Jazz had the best NBA record and a roster that included three All-Stars (Gobert, Mitchell and Mike Connelly), Defensive Player of the Year (Gobert), and sixth. were involved. Man of the Year (Jordan Clarkson).
The Jazz made the playoffs for the fifth consecutive season and reached the second round for the third time in that period.
"Dennis Lindsay has had an incredible impact on the organization, and we are grateful for her dedication to the Utah Jazz," Smith said in a statement. “We look forward to his contribution to Jazz’s ongoing leadership as consultant and Justin Zanick as general manager. As an organization, we are committed to continuing our pursuit of excellence and achieving lasting success. Will work tirelessly to do it and win the championship."