After pulling out of Milwaukee Bucks coaching candidacy, Nick Nurse is named the new Philadelphia 76ers head coach

The Philadelphia 76ers have finally made a decision regarding who their new head coach will be as they tabbed former Toronto Raptors coach Nick Nurse to take the helm. After pulling out of contention for the Milwaukee Bucks coaching job, Nurse has decided that Philly is his best fit. He brings a wealth of experience and knowledge with him to the team, having coached the Raptors to the 2019 NBA championship.

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

Pulled out of the Bucks’ search

Owing to his resume and championship pedigree, Nurse was very much in contention for the Bucks’ vacant head coaching job after Mike Budenholzer was relieved in early May. Nurse had been identified as one of the main candidates for the position, but he ultimately decided to pull out of the search and pursue other opportunities—in particular, the chance to be reunited with Daryl Morey, who he worked with in Houston as he was coaching the G League squad, Rio Grande Vipers.

Nick Nurse chose the 76ers over the Suns, per @wojespn

“Nurse's desire to coach MVP Joel Embiid and his history with Sixers President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey played a significant part in his decision to commit to a deal with Philadelphia.” pic.twitter.com/6m2ySXss6U
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) May 29, 2023

Tough task ahead

Nurse will now take over an underachieving squad that failed to make it to the Eastern Conference Finals despite holding a 3-2 series lead over the Boston Celtics in this year’s NBA Playoffs. During his five-year tenure as coach in Toronto, Nurse's .582 winning percentage topped the list of any coach in Raptors history. His remarkable record of 227-163 underscores his coaching prowess.

Although the fate of former MVP James Harden hangs in the balance as he decides on whether to pick up his player option or flee to another squad, Nurse can be assured he’ll have the league’s reigning MVP—Joel Embiid—and a talented supporting cast led by young gun Tyrese Maxey at his disposal.