Nick Nurse will coach the Philadelphia 76ers and will be tasked with leading the team to its first championship in 40 years, according to sources who spoke with ESPN on Monday.
Throughout Sunday and Monday, the Sixers and Phoenix Suns were negotiating with Nurse and his agent, Andy Miller of Klutch Sports, leaving Nurse to choose between two competitive teams, according to sources.
According to insiders, Nurse’s desire to coach NBA MVP Joel Embiid and his relationship with Sixers President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey were key factors in his choice to sign a contract with Philadelphia. In the interview process, Nurse stood out by presenting an Embiid-centric vision for the Sixers.
He will now be a member of the Sixers organization that is attempting to re-sign James Harden, who is anticipated to become a free agent this summer.
Also Read: Why did Lisa Rinna leave The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills?
Nurse will take Doc Rivers’ place after he was fired following three appearances in the Eastern Conference playoffs. In the conference semifinals, the Sixers fell to the Boston Celtics in a Game 7 matchup.
After five seasons with the Raptors, where he won the 2019 title, the 2020 NBA Coach of the Year award, and compiled a 227-163 (.582) record as coach, Nurse joins the Sixers.
Nick Nurse helped the Toronto Raptors in winning the NBA Championship in 2019 thanks to Kawhi Leonard’s All-NBA performance. Nick Nurse rose to prominence as one of the NBA’s top coaches during that stretch thanks to his mastery of rotations, schematics, and game management.
As a result, Daryl Morey likely thought Nurse was the best person to try and make the most of Joel Embiid’s prime years, giving the widely-traveled coach the job of improving the Sixers’ playing style and winning mentality.
Before receiving the chance to lead the Raptors at the highest level, Nurse has worked in the UK and the NBA G-League.
