The 76ers hired the 55-year-old Nurse, whom the Toronto Raptors fired in April.

Nurse led the Raptors to the 2019 NBA championship after they beat Joel Embiid and the Sixers in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semi-finals.

Nurse replaced Doc Rivers, who was fired after leading the 76ers to their second straight 50-win season behind Embiid, this season's league MVP, but again failed to lead them to the Eastern Conference finals.

The 76ers held a 3-2 semi-finals series lead against Boston before dropping Game 6 at home and getting crushed in Game 7 on the road.

"It's been a fun challenge coaching against this group over the last five years," Nurse said. "Now, I look forward to coaching the Sixers and doing my part to deliver for this tremendous fan base."

The length of his contract was not immediately revealed.

"His championship pedigree and diversity of experience mixed with his uniquely creative approach made him our top priority," team president Daryl Morey said.

"We are confident his leadership and expertise will help us unlock the full potential of our talented roster and bring an exciting new era of championship basketball to Philadelphia."

Nurse went 227-163 in his five seasons as coach in Toronto, where his .582 winning percentage ranks as the best of any coach in Raptors history.

He spent five years as an assistant to former Raptors coach Dwane Casey before taking over the top job.

Nurse will inherit a team in which Embiid blossomed into an MVP, Tyrese Maxey developed into a rising star and James Harden flashed his old All-Star form in the playoffs.

Yet for all that talent, the Sixers are home watching the NBA Finals.

"This team could be playing tonight," Nurse said.

But they're not, of course. The Denver Nuggets host the Miami Heat in Game 1 of the Finals.

The Sixers turned to Nurse to try solve those second-round woes and win them a title.

But don't expect Nurse to dwell much on the Sixers' post-season malaise.

"I don't really vibrate on the frequency of the past," Nurse said.

Nurse met with Embiid before accepting the job, making sure all was cool with the franchise player after a serious of (usually playful) jabs they've thrown at each other throughout the years.

Some of the best colourful quips became social media fodder this week.

"It's a little bit entertaining for me," Nurse said. "I accidentally had my TV on yesterday and I saw a couple of them. They were pretty good."

Morey said his new coach will work well with Embiid.

Nurse earned a reputation as a creative defensive tactician, who often stymied Embiid by throwing double- and triple-teams at him. Embiid might have an easier time chasing a ring with Nurse than fighting against him.

"For a coach to succeed in this league, he has to have great relationships with his players, especially his top players," Morey said.

That included Harden.

The 76ers still have to decide if they will try to bring back Harden, who is expected on June 29 to decline the $35.6m ($A54m) option on his contract and become a free agent.

"James has a decision to make, and I'd be very happy if he came back," Nurse said.

Australian Associated Press