Phil Handy is on the verge of finalizing an agreement to join Nick Nurse’s coaching team for the Philadelphia 76ers. This development signals a significant reunion for Handy with both Nurse and LeBron James, as the 76ers prepare for the 2026-27 season with an enhanced roster poised for championship contention. Handy's previous collaboration with Nurse saw them win an NBA championship with the Toronto Raptors in the 2018-19 season. Additionally, he spent five seasons with James on the Cleveland Cavaliers from 2013 to 2018 and another five with the Los Angeles Lakers from 2019 to 2024, contributing to multiple title victories.
During his tenure with the Cavaliers, the team reached four consecutive NBA Finals, securing the championship in 2016. His time with the Lakers also yielded a title in 2020. This new role with Philadelphia will mark the third NBA franchise where Handy and James have collaborated. Handy's career in NBA coaching began with player development at the Lakers in 2011, before he transitioned to the Cavaliers' staff under Mike Brown in 2013. He spent the 2025-26 season as an assistant coach for the Dallas Mavericks before his impending move to the 76ers.
The 76ers recently concluded their 2025-26 season with a 45-37 record, ending in the Eastern Conference semifinals after a four-game sweep by the New York Knicks. Prior to this, they overcame a 2-1 deficit to defeat the Boston Celtics in seven games during the first round. Key players for the 76ers in 2025-26 included Tyrese Maxey, who averaged 28.3 points and 6.6 assists, earning All-Star and All-NBA Third Team honors. Joel Embiid contributed 26.9 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 3.9 assists in 38 games, while rookie VJ Edgecombe averaged 16.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 4.2 assists over 75 starts. Philadelphia has since actively reshaped its team, acquiring Jaylen Brown in a trade that sent Paul George to Boston, and signing James to a two-year contract with a player option for the second season. James, entering his 24th NBA season, is expected to form a formidable core with Embiid, Maxey, and Brown, driving the 76ers' championship aspirations. Handy’s arrival will reinforce Nurse’s coaching staff with someone who has extensive experience working with James and has a proven championship-winning partnership with Nurse. The team has also added Anfernee Simons, Dean Wade, Ariel Hukporti, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope in the offseason, significantly altering the rotation around its established stars, with the goal of transforming into a title contender.
The strategic addition of Phil Handy to the Philadelphia 76ers' coaching staff, fostering a reunion with seasoned champions Nick Nurse and LeBron James, exemplifies a meticulous approach to team building. This move not only brings a wealth of championship experience but also signals a clear intention to cultivate a winning culture and achieve peak performance. Such calculated decisions, aimed at uniting proven talent and expertise, are crucial for any team aspiring to reach the pinnacle of their sport, fostering a positive and goal-oriented environment where success is not just a hope but an expectation.
