Ainge May Poach Celtics Assistant(s)

[Ed Monix]

In the search for a new head coach, the Utah Jazz have received permission to interview New York Knicks assistant Johnnie Bryant, Boston Celtics assistants Will Hardy and Joe Mazzulla and Milwaukee Bucks assistant Charles Lee, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

Utah will also interview current assistant Alex Jensen and former Portland Trail Blazers head coach Terry Stotts, Wojnarowski added.

Johnnie Bryant "is a known favorite" of Donovan Mitchell, according to NBA insider Marc Stein. Perhaps bringing him in could entice the veteran guard to remain in Utah.

Utah's interest in Bryant comes as little surprise as he served as an assistant for the Jazz from 2014 to '20.

[gouki88]

I'd be surprised if one of our guys got it, just because they seem a bit more green than some others do. Bryant seems to make too much sense to not get the gig.

[Moranis]

I think D'Antoni would be a fascinating coach for them.  I don't think he'd get the job, but I'd be really curious to see what he would do with Mitchell and Gobert.

[Celtics2021]

Will Hardy is a very hot name, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him go very soon, more likely after next season than this season.  Mazzulla is (I believe) the lone assistant on the current staff who coached under Stevens, and thus under Ainge.

[Ed Monix]

Will Hardy is a very hot name, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him go very soon, more likely after next season than this season.  Mazzulla is (I believe) the lone assistant on the current staff who coached under Stevens, and thus under Ainge.

Yes I’ve read the same thing.

Apparently the Celtics front office and players have been really impressed with Hardy. It wouldn’t surprise me in the slightest to see Hardy get the Utah job, nor if he’s the successor for Pop in San Antonio.

[gouki88]

Will Hardy is a very hot name, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him go very soon, more likely after next season than this season.  Mazzulla is (I believe) the lone assistant on the current staff who coached under Stevens, and thus under Ainge.

Yes I’ve read the same thing.

Apparently the Celtics front office and players have been really impressed with Hardy. It wouldn’t surprise me in the slightest to see Hardy get the Utah job, nor if he’s the successor for Pop in San Antonio.

I think Bryant is the guy for Utah given his connection to them. Hardy would definitely be in consideration for San Antonio, alongside Hammon.

[ozgod]

I'm ok with one of our assistants getting their dream job of being a head coach as long as they deserve it. It wouldn't be good to stop someone from being able to do that. If assistants get the idea that the team is preventing them from moving forward with an opportunity they won't be with the team for long, so as long as they are deemed to be ready for that next step, more power to them.

[Moranis]

Will Hardy is a very hot name, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him go very soon, more likely after next season than this season.  Mazzulla is (I believe) the lone assistant on the current staff who coached under Stevens, and thus under Ainge.

Yes I’ve read the same thing.

Apparently the Celtics front office and players have been really impressed with Hardy. It wouldn’t surprise me in the slightest to see Hardy get the Utah job, nor if he’s the successor for Pop in San Antonio.

I think Bryant is the guy for Utah given his connection to them. Hardy would definitely be in consideration for San Antonio, alongside Hammon.

Yeah I don't see how it isn't Bryant or Larsen at this point for the Jazz.  Larsen is basically the acting head coach until they get a permanent one, so I'd say he has the inside track, though Bryant has to be right there in the mix.

[Ed Monix]

Andy Larsen of the Salt Lake Tribune reported Saturday that "it looks like the team's decision-makers are favoring the younger assistant coaches in their search" and pointed to the Boston Celtics' Will Hardy as someone who is "considered by many league insiders to be a leading candidate."

[MattyIce]

Sources: Utah Jazz finalizing deal to make Boston Celtics assistant Will Hardy new head coach

per Woj

[Kuberski33]

Good for Hardy. As far as the Celtics go I don't think it's a major loss as the importance of coaching staffs, where assitants are concerned, is overrated - except by certain media members who like to kiss their butts so they have an 'in' should the guy eventually get a head job.