Philadelphia 76ers hire Phil Handy as assistant coach

The Philadelphia 76ers have finalized a deal to hire veteran assistant coach Phil Handy, who will join the staff of head coach Nick Nurse. Handy, most recently an assistant with the Dallas Mavericks, is a highly regarded skill development coach with a history of winning NBA championships.

The move reunites Handy with both Nurse, whom he worked with during the Toronto Raptors’ 2019 championship season, and LeBron James, with whom he has worked during stints with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Los Angeles Lakers. Handy is noted for his ability to develop elite talent, having previously worked closely with players like Kyrie Irving.

This coaching addition follows a significant offseason for the 76ers, which included the acquisition of LeBron James and the trade for Jaylen Brown. The team’s roster now features a high concentration of talent, including Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. Second-year player VJ Edgecombe expressed excitement about playing alongside these veterans, noting that while roles may shift, the primary goal remains winning a championship.