Before the offseason officially began, the 76ers quickly finalized their first pick. According to Woj, the 76ers have reached an agreement with Nas, who will become the team's new manager.
After being eliminated by the Celtics in the Eastern Conference semifinals, the 76ers quickly fired head coach Rivers and began interviewing for the new manager. According to US media reports, the 76ers and the Suns have separately held talks with Nass and his agent in the past two days. Nas' desire to coach MVP Joel Embiid, as well as his close relationship with 76ers management, played an important role in his decision.
Nass is a young coach who has been an assistant coach with the Raptors since the 2013-14 season. In the 2018-19 season, Nas began serving as the head coach of the Raptors. As a team coach for the first time, Nas led the Raptors to an NBA championship and defeated the Warriors with the Big 5 in the Finals.
In the 2019-20 season, with the departure of Junior, Nas still led the Raptors to second place in the East, and he also won the Coach of the Year. In his five seasons as head coach of the Raptors, Nas recorded a 227-163 regular season record and made the playoffs in three seasons, totaling 25-16 in the playoffs. This season, the Raptors are 41-41 and ninth in the East, losing 105-109 to the Bulls in the playoffs and missing the playoffs. After that, Nas parted ways with the Raptors.
Woj said that with Nass as part of the 76ers, he will be committed to keeping Harden. Harden has decided to jump out of next season's $35.64 million player option this summer to become a free agent. Harden wants to return to the Rockets, and the Rockets are interested in working with him again. However, there is a view that Harden is borrowing the Rockets to raise the price. The 76ers have not made up their minds whether to extend Harden's contract with a maximum salary.
Until the head coach is determined, it will be difficult for the 76ers to decide whether to give Harden a top salary. After all, the combination of coach and player is also very important. With Nas's position confirmed, and Nas' desire to keep Harden, Harden is more likely to stay on the team.
If the 76ers are willing to offer Harden a maximum salary extension, then Harden is still very likely to stay with the 76ers. After all, staying with the 76ers would be closer to a championship than returning to the Rockets. US media reported that the 76ers are expected to reach a four-year, $220 million maximum salary extension with Harden.
The 76ers roster is still good, finishing third in the East this season and leading the Celtics 3-2 in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Championships are never something that happens overnight, it takes multiple shocks and drops of water to pierce. Harden has only been working with Embiid for 2 years, and it is obviously a bit arbitrary to think that they can't do it.
Swap Rivers for Nas, the 76ers boss has completed the upgrade. Harden remains with the 76ers and can continue to storm the championship next season. Harden left the Rockets to win a championship. And Harden hasn't done that yet. Once back with the Rockets, Harden would be tantamount to giving up on winning a championship. Is Harden willing?