Utah Jazz sign head coach Will Hardy to contract extension
The Utah Jazz have inked head coach Will Hardy to a contract extension through 2031.
“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,” Smith said in a social media post. “Our goal is to hang a banner, and Will is a huge part of this journey.”
The Jazz hired Hardy before the 2022-23 season, and he has since garnered an 85-161 record over the last three seasons. It includes no playoff appearances while failing to crack more than 40 wins in any campaign.
Utah is coming off a franchise-worst 17-65 record that was also the worst in the league this season. Despite all that, the 37-year-old is clearly viewed as the long-term future fixture on the sidelines.
“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.”
The Jazz hope the next step involves the team receiving the first overall pick for a chance to select Duke standout freshman Cooper Flagg. Utah has a 14 percent chance to secure the top spot while possessing four picks in next month’s draft, including a pair of first-round selections.
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The Jazz also have significant salary cap space ahead of this upcoming offseason to rebuild the roster. Former All-Star forward Lauri Markkanen is the only player on the roster making more than $30 million next season.
