Jazz Owner Smith Backs Hardy, Front Office Amid Slow Start

Utah Jazz owner Ryan Smith voiced strong support for head coach Will Hardy and president of basketball operations Austin Ainge despite the team's 1-8 start to the season. Speaking on KSL's "Scotty G. & The Coach" podcast before a loss to Dallas, Smith confirmed the franchise will not make leadership changes and remains committed to working through the slump together with CEO Danny Ainge.

Smith acknowledged frustration with the team's inconsistent play, noting injuries to frontcourt starters Jusuf Nurkic and Jaren Jackson Jr. have hindered progress. However, he expressed confidence in a young core featuring Keyonte George, Darryn Peterson, and Ace Bailey, emphasizing that Utah possesses draft assets and financial flexibility to contend for championships over a multi-year horizon.