With the way this season has turned out for the Philadelphia 76ers, changes will definitely be on the horizon. Thus, this upcoming offseason could very well dictate their fate for the following campaigns, especially given how their championship window is swiftly closing.
A believed path for the 76ers is to undergo yet another roster turnover, but in all honesty, that is out of the realm of reality. Most of the team’s core players are still under contract for next season, and their cap situation is pretty hazy with a handful of their players having player options. In short, changes to the roster are expected to be marginal, barring a blockbuster deal.
So where else can the 76ers effectuate this so-called change? With the front office seemingly safe for now given Daryl Morey’s contract extension still being fresh, that leaves the coaching staff led by Nick Nurse, which has also been a point of discussion among fans and pundits alike this season.
Going by this pattern, Nick Nurse could soon get the hammer from the 76ers
Nurse has not had an ideal weaponry this season thanks to the 76ers getting ravaged by the injury but regardless, Nurse and his staff have been criticized for their funky rotations and unstable lineup management. Nurse has also been subject to much scrutiny for the way he had steered the wheel for the team in late-game situations, as Philly has lost a whole bunch of close games this season.
So far, the front office has not given any indications of firing Nurse, but history says otherwise, at least on the part of Daryl Morey. According to Marc Stein, Morey has never had any coach last longer than four season, even dating back to his days in Houston which, while marked by success in the regular season for the most part, has also been tainted with multiple coaching changes.
Nurse will be entering his third season in Philadelphia next season, meaning that he is already past this sort of “lifespan”. Ang going by this pattern, he could very well already be on the hot seat starting in 2025-26, especially if the 76ers remain well-distanced from actual contention for the championship.
The Philadelphia 76ers are more desperate than ever to get meaningful success, and if they don’t get that soon enough, as usual, the coaching staff will most likely bear the brunt of the franchise’s decision-makers, specifically Daryl Morey.