The Philadelphia 76ers have every reason to eye a shake-up this offseason. While most of their key players remain signed through next season at the very least, there is indubitably a compelling need to effectuate some change to the team’s dynamic ahead of the following campaign.
One thing that the front office could look into changing up is with the coaching staff. Nick Nurse, who has been mostly well-received until last season, has been a major point of complaint among 76ers fans this season thanks to his questionable decision-making at times, which has contributed to the team’s decline even in the few occasions they were healthy.
Having said that, the front office has not yet given any signs about cozying up to the possibility of moving on from the championship coach. Possible changes to the roster are far more likely at this juncture, especially with Nurse being given a bad hand this season due to all the injuries he’s had to adjust to.
The 76ers could now have a reason to move on from Nick Nurse
Still, should there be great alternatives, it is not impossible to envision the front office yielding to the calls of Nurse’s naysayers. In fact, an opportunity to that effect just came up.
The Grizzlies shocked everyone after firing Taylor Jenkins just a few weeks before the playoffs commence — a pretty wild culmination of events after he successfully led a rebuild for the Memphis and manned them on the sidelines on their way back to perennial playoff contention.
Jenkins is expected to be a strong favorite to fill in the next head coaching vacancy in the league thanks to his ample pedigree in developing young teams and installing great offenses and defenses. His relative youth at 40 is also plenty attractive for any team looking to foster a long-term partnership with a new tactician.
Not saying that Nurse should be supplanted by Jenkins, but those who want the former out now have something to hedge their arguments on. Jenkins is a fine young coach, and in fact, there are already some expecting the 76ers to be a strong player for the ex-Grizzlies coach.
In all likelihood, though, the Philadelphia 76ers will most likely stick with Nick Nurse, for better or for some, for worse. He has not had a fair shake with this roster yet, and it’s a tad premature to hold the team’s current situation against him.
Still, it is definitely ideal to have someone like Taylor Jenkins as a viable alternative.