Jazz Announce Contract Extension for Coach Will Hardy

That’s not meant as a slight to Hardy, who’s done a nice job with the roster he’s been dealt. It’s just to show you that in today’s NBA, things are quite often incredibly topsy-turvy.

The Jazz announced the extension for Hardy on Monday.

“Will is a great leader, communicator, and ambassador for our org, and is a tremendous partner to [CEO Danny Ainge], [GM Justin Zanik], and me,” team owner Ryan Smith said in a social media post. “Our goal is to hang a banner, and Will is a huge part of this journey.”

Hardy, 37, was hired ahead of the 2022–23 season and has posted an 85–161 record over three years, with no playoff appearances. Utah won 37 games in his first season, 31 in his second and just 17 this season — the worst record in the NBA and franchise history.

Hardy has overseen the developmental phase of Utah’s rebuild. The Jazz didn’t play anyone over the age of 27 in the final weeks of the season and finished the year with the NBA’s youngest roster.

“I’m humbled and honored,” Hardy said, according to the team. “This is an incredible franchise. To be able to be committed to the next phase of our process is hard to explain. Moments like this are very surreal. I’m so excited.”

Hardy’s deal comes after the Nuggets fired proven coach Michael Malone with less than a week left in the regular season. That came shortly after the Grizzlies shockingly parted ways with coach Taylor Jenkins.