The Philadelphia 76ers have hired Phil Handy as an assistant coach, according to ESPN's Marc J. Spears. Handy joins Nick Nurse's coaching staff as they enter the 2026-27 regular season.
What happened?
The 54-year-old Handy has spent the last 15 years mostly as an NBA assistant coach. He spent last season on the Dallas Mavericks staff with then-head coach Jason Kidd. Handy has a couple of ties to the Sixers, having been on Nurse's staff on the Toronto Raptors in 2018-19. He was also with LeBron James as a Los Angeles Lakers assistant from 2019-24. Before that, he had also shared time with James on the Cleveland Cavaliers, from 2013-18.
Why it matters for Philadelphia 76ers
The Sixers landed James as one of the blockbuster moves of the 2026 NBA offseason. Another seismic move that involved Philadelphia was their acquisition of multi-time All-Star and one-time NBA champion Jaylen Brown in a star-studded trade with the Boston Celtics. The Sixers get to add a veteran voice to their coaching staff, with Handy being a three-time NBA champion in 2016 with the Cavaliers, 2019 with the Raptors, and 2020 with the Lakers. Last result: Philadelphia 76ers 114-144 New York Knicks (2026-05-10). The team's recent form has been 0W-0D-5L, with their last five games ending in losses.
What comes next?
Expect plenty of national attention on Philadelphia for the upcoming 2026-27 regular season. With a stacked roster and a veteran coaching staff, the Sixers are looking to make a deep playoff run. The addition of Handy to the coaching staff is a significant move, as he brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the team. As the season approaches, the Sixers will be looking to gel as a team and make a strong push for the NBA championship. With their recent moves, the Sixers are poised to be a top contender in the Eastern Conference, and their fans will be eagerly awaiting the start of the new season.
