Philadelphia 76ers identify six-man head coach shortlist with Harden preference

16 May 2023 , 16:26

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Doc Rivers has reportedly been fired as head coach of the Philadelphia 76ers head coach (Image: Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

The Philadelphia 76ers are looking for a new head coach after firing Doc Rivers.

The Sixers were beaten by the Boston Celtics to exit the NBA Playoffs on Sunday. A 112-88 defeat in Game Seven saw the Sixers lose the Easter Conference semi-final 4-3, despite leading 3-1 after Game Five.

While the Celtics will now be busy preparing for their Eastern Conference finals match-up against the Miami Heat, there is plenty of speculation around the future of the Sixers. The majority of the rumours have been concerning Rivers and James Harden.

ESPN reported on Tuesday that Rivers had been fired by the Sixers following the defeat to the Celtics. Now a search is beginning for his replacement.

The same outlet is reporting that the Sixers have drawn up a list of six potential candidates to replace Rivers. They include Mike Budenholzer, Sam Cassell, Mike D’Antoni, Nick Nurse, Frank Vogel and Monty Williams, with the latter most recently dismissed as head coach of the Phoenix Suns.

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For Harden, he can choose to either sign a $36.5m this summer to remain with the Sixers or choose free agency. He only moved to Philadelphia from the Brooklyn Nets in February last year, with this being his first full season with the Sixers.

D'Antoni would seem likely to be Harden's preferred choice. The pair worked together at the Houston Rockets with some of Harden's best basketball coming under D'Antoni. A reunion could now potentially be in the cards in Philadelphia.

A report from provided an update on Harden’s future with the Sixers. It was claimed prior to Rivers' exit that it was difficult to envision the guard remaining in Philadelphia if he was still head coach.

Former Phoenix Suns head coach Monty Williams is reportedly being considered for the job with the Philadelphia 76ers (Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

Harden was asked about how things are behind the scenes with coach Rivers shortly after the defeat to the Celtics on Sunday. The Sixers guard was rather brief with his answer, before being asked about his future in Philadelphia.

“Our relationship is OK,” said Harden. “I haven't even thought about it. I just want to have a chance to compete,” Harden added, when asked about his future.

Rivers was also asked about his future as Sixers coach after the defeat to the Celtics. Rivers had been in charge at Philadelphia since replacing Brett Brown as head coach in 2020.

Speaking to ESPN and reporters after the game, Rivers said that it was his intention to remain in charge of the Sixers. "Yeah. I think I have two years left,” said the 61-year-old when asked about his future.

Mark Wakefield