Jazz’s Bold Bet: Why They’re Doubling Down on Coach Hardy Despite NBA’s Worst Record

It’s a move that caught my eye — Utah is doubling down on Will Hardy, betting big on his vision and leadership by locking him in with a six-year extension. Yeah, the numbers so far haven’t exactly been fireworks: an 85-161 record across three seasons and a brutal 17-win campaign last year that left the Jazz at the league’s bottom. But here’s the twist — despite the setbacks, the franchise believes Hardy is their guy to turn things around, to steer them back from the abyss and reclaim some serious stature in the NBA. Keeping him through 2031 isn’t just about patience; it’s about commitment to a blueprint, a plan that could yet rewrite the Jazz’s narrative. I guess sometimes you have to invest in potential, even if the scoreboard’s all kinds of messy. LEARN MORE

Hardy was hired by the team ahead of the 2022-23 NBA season. He’s compiled an 85-161 record in three seasons with the team, good for a .346 winning percentage. The Jazz won just 17 games last season, ending the year with the worst record in the league.The Utah Jazz believe Will Hardy is the right person to lead the franchise back to prominence. The team will reportedly sign Hardy to a six-year extension, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.

This story will be updated.The move ensures Hardy will remain with the team through the 2030-31 NBA season.