Jazz GM Justin Zanik on Will Hardy: 'Don't Have to Worry About Him'

The Utah Jazz have some clear confidence in their head coach amid a bumpy season.

As the 2023-24 regular season comes to a close, the Utah Jazz are aiming to finish posting their worst record since the 2013-14 season. Standing at 30 wins at 12th in the Western Conference with two games to go, it marks one of the roughest seasons fans have endured in recent years.

Still, it doesn't mean all hope is lost for this squad, and it doesn't mean you can expect any significant changes on the coaching front. The Jazz are wrapping up their second season under Gregg Popovich-product Will Hardy, and while the results haven't panned out in wins and losses at 67-95 in two years, there's optimism to be had.

In an interview with Andy Larsen of The Salt Lake Tribune, Jazz GM Justin Zanik put to rest any discussion putting Hardy's job security in the air after two seasons with the team:

“You don’t have to worry about him, he’s good. He’s coaching the heck out of guys and he understands what we’re all trying to do together with this.”

The Jazz brought in Hardy during the summer of 2022 on a five-year deal to become the league's youngest head coach at the time. The 36-year-old has shown stints of being one of the top coaching minds in the NBA, whether through fiery winning stretches like we saw at the beginning of 2022-23 or the team's performance at the start of the calendar 2024 year.

Still, with an extensive rebuild in full effect, it's clear there is a long process that needs to take place before everything comes to form. Injuries to key rotational players like Lauri Markkanen, Jordan Clarkson, and Walker Kessler have plagued this team's ability to remain consistent in the standings year-round, and the tank overshadows Hardy's true ability of effectively leading a team as a head coach.

The confidence in the front office is still strong when it comes to Coach Hardy. When the roster comes soon together with playoff-level expectations and an increase in star talent, we can then get an improved gauge on his outlook in Utah.

Until that time comes, fans must stay patient as the Jazz and Hardy continue to build a sustianable contender to host in Salt Lake City.

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