A reset is underway with the Philadelphia 76ers after a horrendous season.
NBA owners were trigger-happy with coaches during the past season, with the Kings, Grizzlies and Nuggets wielding the axe. And as soon as their season ended, the Phoenix Suns dismissed Mike Budenholzer.
The Philadelphia 76ers appear to be sticking with head coach Nick Nurse, despite their embarrassing 24-58 season record.
The Sixers can attribute their struggles to injuries, but there is an assistant coaching change being made.
The Philadelphia 76ers have made the decision to terminate assistant coaches Coby Karl and Terrel Harris, reports The Inquirer.
Karl is the son of former Denver Nuggets coach George Karl, and was previously the lead coach of the LA Lakers’ G League squad the South Bay Lakers for four seasons, and also headed up the Westchester Knicks.
He most recently worked with the Delaware Bluecoats, where he coached Mac McClung, best known for becoming a highlight-reel attraction in the Slam Dunk Contest at All-Star Weekend.
Former player Terrel Harris was on the Heat roster in 2012 when they won the NBA Championship, but dropped out of the league in 2013.
He has worked with the Sixers as a player development coach, and at 37, he is at the start of his coaching career.
Both Karl and Harris joined the Philadelphia coaching staff in 2023, spending two seasons working with Nick Nurse, making the playoffs once.
The Philadelphia 76ers entered last season dreaming of a championship charge, but even in the first month, it became clear the campaign would be a slog.
Injuries derailed the team’s season, but there are also plenty of questions to be raised towards the front office relating to the roster construction and big contracts handed out.
Now with the team possessing the number three pick in the NBA Draft due to the Lottery, there is fresh hope of a renewed challenge.
The move to fire two assistant coaches shows the Sixers are committed to change, to bringing in new voices, determined to turn their fortunes around. Whether it has any tangible impact is unclear – but it sends a message, and also heats up a little pressure on Nurse for next season too.
