Sixers Refuse to Hearth Nick Nurse, Daryl Morey After Epic Collapse—Will Subsequent Season be a Do-or-Die?

Even earlier than the NBA Season 2024-25 began, followers thought that the Philadelphia 76ers could be an enormous menace to each crew. However, Joel Embiid’s damage acquired worse, to not point out the worst file they’ve had this 12 months. Paul George acquired wrecked together with his accidents, as properly.

With this catastrophe, the Sixers performed with no stars on the crew, however that will not cease Nick Nurse from bettering the crew’s file on the very least. In the top, there may be two folks responsible for the mishap: Head Coach Nick Nurse and President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey.

An NBA insider thinks that the 76ers shall be put into the “hottest seats” subsequent season due to what occurred to the group.

NBA Insider Taken Back by Sixers’ Limited Roster Moves

NBA sources had been equally stunned as followers. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst confessed that he was “mildly surprised” Philadelphia determined to run it again.

Appearing on The Stephen A. Smith Show, Windhorst stated that after doing a little digging, it turned obvious the crew’s highest-ranking officers—Managing Partners Josh Harris and David Blitzer—had been totally on board with the franchise’s massive offseason strikes.

Joel Embiid and Paul George’s Injuries Derail the Sixers’ Season

The 76ers’ woes may be traced largely to a vicious string of accidents. Morey wager on Embiid and George, two stars with a mixed 16 All-Star video games however spotty damage data. During the 2024-25 season, each missed appreciable time, with George showing in simply 41 video games and Embiid lacking greater than 20 contests.

Since each stars are at present of their 30s, the Sixers’ future is at risk, in line with Yardbarker. The technique of dominating with a celebrity duo was dismantled prematurely, ruining any legit title consideration.

Nick Nurse Given Benefit of the Doubt After Tough Season

Head coaches normally discover themselves scapegoated when issues go incorrect throughout a season, however the Sixers seem to understand the singular circumstances Nick Nurse needed to work with.

Repeated lineup rotations on account of damage left Nurse with a no-win scenario, one which not many coaches within the league may have dealt with successfully.

Rather than scapegoating Nurse, Philadelphia’s administration determined to supply him with a possibility to rebuild for the 2025-26 season. The locker room tensions had been additionally brewing at the moment.

‘Hottest Seats’ Heating Up for 2025-26 Season

Though Nurse and Morey made it by way of this offseason, their seats at the moment are a number of the hottest within the NBA. As Windhorst summarized, the 2 officers don’t have any margin for error now.

Significant adjustments shall be on their manner if the Sixers fail to ship a fantastic season for the NBA 2025-26. One of them may occur through the draft day: signing Blue Devils’ freshman heart Khaman Maluach to turn out to be the following Embiid.

With outdated stars, damage threats, and ceiling-high expectations, the warmth in Philadelphia has by no means been larger.