​Rephrased: The Sporting News originally noted that Nick Nurse could be placed on the hot seat for the Boston Celtics’ blockbuster deal sending Jaylen Brown to Philadelphia in exchange for Paul George. The piece also suggested we should consider adding The Sporting News as a preferred source by clicking here. It’s almost unbelievable to reflect on the trade that occurred roughly a week ago between the Boston Celtics and the Philadelphia 76ers. The deal, which sent Jaylen Brown to Philadelphia in return for Paul George, was accompanied by additional pieces on both sides, but most analyses treated it as a significant win for Philadelphia.
There’s a growing sentiment that, given how sizable this development is for the 76ers, some people may be at risk of losing their jobs if outcomes don’t meet expectations over the next year. That sentiment extends to head coach Nick Nurse, with an ESPN reporter even suggesting he could be on the hot seat and potentially lose his position if the team fails to perform up to the anticipated level. The ESPN piece asked: “The Jaylen Brown–Paul George deal. If Boston wins 50-plus games next season, as it has done for the past five seasons, what did the Celtics lose? If they stay ahead of Philly in the East, does 76ers’ coach Nick Nurse land on the hot seat? If they use the picks they got in the deal to acquire players who significantly improve their roster, what then? Owners value flexibility, and this deal gave the system‑driven Celtics more flexibility, while it tied the 76ers to a core that could potentially be a misfit.”
As I’ve noted before about Philadelphia, the outcome will largely hinge on health. If the 76ers can keep Joel Embiid on the court, they could become, at minimum, one of the top five teams in the Eastern Conference. There’s even a possibility they could climb higher if Embiid is fully healthy. Conversely, if his health falters, it’s difficult to place too much responsibility on Nurse at this juncture.