Former Toronto Raptors head coach Nick Nurse, who led the Canadian team to the 2019 NBA championship, will now be the next head coach of the Philadelphia 76ers.
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
Nurse will replace Doc Rivers, who was at the helm for three seasons.
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Nurse Replaces Doc
Aside from leading the Raptors to their first title in franchise history, Nurse was also named the 2020 NBA Coach of the Year and coached Team Giannis in the 2020 NBA All-Star Game.
Nurse had a 227-163 (.582) record in five seasons in Toronto, per ESPN.
Both the Philadelphia 76ers and the Phoenix Suns were engaged in talks with the tactician and his agent, Andy Miller of Klutch Sports.
Nurse decided to go to Philadelphia to have a chance to coach the reigning NBA MVP, Joel Embiid.
Nick Nurse’s desire to coach Joel Embiid and his history with Daryl Morey played a "significant part" in deciding to be the Sixers’ next HC over Suns, per @wojespn pic.twitter.com/oWhhTUHmF8
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 29, 2023
Another factor in Nurse's decision was his past working experience with Sixers GM Daryl Morey in Houston while coaching their G-League affiliate Rio Grande Valley Vipers from 2011 to 2013.
This is a significant acquisition for the Sixers, as Nurse was a highly coveted candidate for the head coaching position of several teams after he was fired by the Raptors last April.
The Sixers are looking at a busy offseason. With their search for a head coach done, the organization is trying to lure star James Harden into staying and provide ample reinforcements to play alongside the league's most valuable player Embiid.
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