Utah Jazz hiring former Dallas Mavericks great Jason Terry as assistant coach

The Dallas Mavericks and head coach Jason Kidd had interest in bringing Jason Terry onboard last summer. The Jet even worked with the Mavs during summer league before taking over as head coach of the Grand Rapids Gold in the G League. The 44-year-old spent 19 years in the NBA, including eight with the Mavs where he helped them win the championship in 2011.

Terry interviewed for the Jazz’s head coaching opening earlier this summer, and there was talk that he wanted to jump onto an NBA bench next season. Utah hired Will Hardy to be their head coach, but Terry is joining them anyway.

Shams Charania reported that the Jet will be an assistant on Hardy’s staff next season. It is a different job than what Terry interviewed for, but he is getting his first chance on an NBA bench.

Utah Jazz hiring former Mavericks great Jason Terry as assistant coach

Terry was an assistant for the University of Arizona for one season before taking over as head coach in the G League. The veteran was Sixth Man of the Year in 2009, and he brings a ton of NBA experience to the rebuilding Jazz.

The Jazz are going to look like a completely different team than the one the Mavericks eliminated from the playoffs just a few months ago. They traded Rudy Gobert to Minnesota, and the Jazz are listening to offers on Donovan Mitchell. If the three-time All-Star guard is dealt, Utah will likely head into a total rebuild and trade away the other veterans on their roster.

It will be a rebuilding job focused on development for head coach Will Hardy and his new assistant Jason Terry. The Jet just led a G League squad, so he is no stranger to developing talent.

The Dallas Mavericks are still hoping Jason Terry will return at some point, but for now, he is an assistant in Utah helping Will Hardy with the Jazz’s rebuild.