The Philadelphia 76ers have reportedly added veteran assistant coach Phil Handy to head coach Nick Nurse’s staff ahead of the 2026-27 NBA regular season, according to ESPN reporter Marc J. Spears. Handy enters the role following a single season with the Dallas Mavericks under then-head coach Jason Kidd, bringing a resume featuring three NBA championships across fifteen seasons of bench experience.
Coaching Reunion in Philadelphia
The move reunites Handy with Nurse, who previously worked alongside the assistant during a championship run with the Toronto Raptors in the 2018-19 season.
Championship Pedigree Across the League
Handy’s career includes significant stints with high-profile franchises and superstars. Before his time in Toronto and Dallas, the 54-year-old assistant spent extensive years working alongside LeBron James. He served on the Cleveland Cavaliers’ coaching staff from 2013 to 2018—capturing an NBA title in 2016—before following that with a tenure on the Los Angeles Lakers staff from 2019 to 2024, winning another championship ring in the Orlando bubble in 2020.
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That championship collection forms a direct connection to Philadelphia’s current roster build. The Sixers made major waves during the 2026 NBA offseason by landing LeBron James as part of a blockbuster roster overhaul. Alongside that acquisition, the franchise traded with the Boston Celtics to secure multi-All-Star and one-time NBA champion Jaylen Brown, positioning the team for intense national scrutiny as training camps approach.
Expanding Player Development Off the Court
Beyond his work within NBA bench rotations, Handy maintains a prominent digital footprint through a dedicated training channel on YouTube. With nearly 300,000 subscribers, the platform features technical skill drills and workout methodologies aimed at player development, reflecting a coaching reputation built heavily on individual skill work.
Next Steps for the 76ers
As the Philadelphia franchise finalizes its personnel and coaching adjustments ahead of the 2026-27 season, the team prepares for official preseason media availability and the opening of training camp.
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