DALLAS — The Dallas Mavericks are losing assistant coach Phil Handy to the Philadelphia 76ers, according to a report from NBA insider Marc J. Spears.
The veteran assistant is reportedly reuniting with 76ers head coach Nick Nurse and incoming star LeBron James.
Dallas Mavericks assistant coach Phil Handy is finalizing a deal to become an assistant coach with Philadelphia Sixers head coach Nick Nurse, a source said. Handy previously worked with Nurse in Toronto and with LeBron James with the Cavs and Lakers. Great addition for Nurse. pic.twitter.com/uzD9hYu4Fn
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) August 21, 2026
Phil Handy’s Dallas Mavericks Tenure Ends After One Season
Handy’s tenure with the Mavericks comes to an end after just one season. He joined the staff under head coach Jason Kidd last summer and spent the 2025-26 campaign with the team, a season that was memorable in its own way.
Even though Dallas struggled to a 26-56 record and landed in the lottery, new franchise cornerstone Cooper Flagg had a fantastic debut season, marking the beginning of a new era in Mavs basketball. He won the Rookie of the Year race and showed that he has the makings of a future star. If nothing else, Handy was able to be a part of that in his lone season with the team.
Phil Handy Reunites With LeBron James, Nick Nurse
The move to the 76ers has to be an exciting one for Handy, who will get a chance to compete for another NBA title from the sidelines. He has already won three of them as an assistant, with each one coming alongside either Nurse or James.
In 2016 with the Cleveland Cavaliers and 2020 with the Los Angeles Lakers, Handy won championships as an assistant on James’ teams. In 2019 with the Toronto Raptors, he won a ring alongside Nurse. Handy has bounced around a bit as an assistant but has certainly made the most of his moves.
Philadelphia 76ers Add Phil Handy To Loaded Roster
Philadelphia should be a major factor in the Eastern Conference this season after adding James and five-time All-Star Jaylen Brown this summer.
With a lineup that features those two plus fellow stars Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, the 76ers have enough talent to compete with any team in the NBA. Handy will try to help them get over the hump in the title race.
