On this day in Boston Celtics history, the franchise made a move that would define its modern era: Danny Ainge was hired as team president in 2003. Taking over from Chris Wallace, who had briefly held the reins after the tumultuous Rick Pitino era, Ainge stepped into the role with a reputation as a sharp-minded former player. His tenure was nothing short of transformative, culminating in an NBA championship during the 2007-08 season and another Finals appearance in 2010. Known affectionately—and sometimes warily—as "Trader Danny," Ainge had a knack for swinging deals that seemed to tip in Boston's favor. His most iconic moves included acquiring Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett to form a Big Three that brought Banner 17 back to the Garden, and later, the blockbuster 2013 trade that sent Garnett and Paul Pierce to the Brooklyn Nets, netting a haul of picks that fueled the team's next rebuild.

Despite those successes, the later years brought challenges, including a heart attack in 2019 and the pressures of navigating a pandemic. Ainge stepped down in 2021, and he now serves in a similar, albeit less demanding, role with the Utah Jazz. His legacy in Boston remains one of bold moves and championship grit.

Today also marks the birthday of former Celtics big man Marcus Webb, born on this date in 1970 in Montgomery, Alabama. Webb went undrafted out of the University of Alabama but signed with Boston as a free agent in the summer of 1992. He appeared in nine games during the 1992-93 season, averaging 4.3 points and 1.1 rebounds per game—a brief but memorable chapter in Celtics lore.