Why Nick Nurse’s Departure From Raptors Is Good News for 76ers

How does Nick Nurse's firing affect the 76ers.

The Toronto Raptors have moved on from their head coach, Nick Nurse. Despite being the guy that coached the Raptors to the franchise’s first title, and even winning the Coach of the Year award the following season, it was clear that the Nurse and the Raptors were ready for a clean slate. 

Weeks prior to the Raptors making their decision to fire Nurse, the head coach made it clear that there would be a reflection period in the offseason, hinting at some uncertainty for the future. 

While it seemed like Nurse was considering stepping down, the Raptors beat him to the punch and cut the head coach loose first. 

Raptors Part Ways With Nick Nurse

As soon as Nurse became available, he was immediately linked to the Houston Rockets, who parted ways with Stephen Silas at the end of the 2022-2023 regular season.

Why Houston’s Interest in Nurse Is Good for 76ers

The Philadelphia 76ers have an assistant coach who is currently getting eyed up by the Rockets. 

Not long after Silas parted ways with the organization, the Sixers reportedly granted the Rockets permission to interview one of Doc Rivers’ top assistants, Sam Cassell.

According to The Athletic’s Kelly Iko, Cassell is scheduled to interview for the position on Sunday, one day after the Sixers swept the Brooklyn Nets in the first round of the NBA Playoffs.

While Cassell is getting considered for the position, he’s part of a crowded group of targets. And with Nurse officially on the market, he’s likely a top target at this point in time.

Per Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, the Rockets are “progressing toward a second round” of interviews with former Los Angeles Lakers head coach Frank Vogel and former Boston Celtics head coach Ime Udoka all while including Nurse in the process as well.

While it doesn’t seem Cassell is out of the running, it’s becoming clear that a group of former head coaches have the advantage over the Sixers' assistant in this situation.