The 76ers have found their next head coach.
After parting ways with Doc Rivers following Philadelphia’s second-round playoff exit against the Celtics, the team has reportedly agreed to terms with former Raptors head coach Nick Nurse, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Nurse was with Toronto from 2018 to ’23, but was fired after the ’22–23 NBA season. He spent the past 10 seasons with the Raptors, five as an assistant and five as a head coach including the ’19 campaign when he won a championship. He led the team for 390 games, amassing a 227–163 record.
ESPN Sources: Nick Nurse has reached an agreement to become the next coach of the Philadelphia 76ers. Nurse — who won an NBA championship and a coach of year award with Toronto — now gets to coach the 2023 MVP Joel Embiid. pic.twitter.com/SrsXhzx7Y3
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) May 29, 2023
He’s now set to take over the 76ers and hopes to contend for a championship around star center and reigning league MVP, Joel Embiid. Nurse will become the 25th head coach in Philadelphia franchise history, taking over where Rivers left off. Rivers had been with the 76ers for three seasons.
Wojnarowski indicated that the franchise faced some competition in its pursuit of the “highly in demand” Nurse. The head coach was also reportedly courted by the Suns following the departure of Monty Williams, but ultimately opted to take over the role in Philadelphia.
The details of Nurse’s contract are still being ironed out, per the report. The 55-year-old is represented by Klutch Sports Group.
