NBA Rumors: Winning Shot May Have Decided 76ers Head Coach Fate

The Philadelphia 76ers hopes of making the NBA Finals got crushed Sunday, no thanks to a game-winner by Kawhi Leonard of the Toronto Raptors en route to a 92-90 win. With high stakes, it was a (lucky bounce) shot of a lifetime that sent the Raps to the Eastern Conference Finals. However, it also places the future of Sixers head coach Brett Brown in the balance.

Even before game 7 of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals, there were already murmurs on the future of the 58-year-old mentor. Since joining Philadelphia back in 2013, he has only been able to lead the team to the playoffs the past two seasons, losing in the conference semifinals on both occasions. Despite the influx of talent, the Sixers have simply fallen short and some feel that a change in the coaching helm could help, The New York Times reported.

And while a coaching change is normally the recourse that some teams would opt for, Brown did not exactly have a good core when he agreed to call the shots for the Sixers. When he came in "The Process" era, most wondered which direction they were headed. They had the likes of Nerlens Noel and Jahlil Okafor but both have since been traded. Joel Embiid did not immediately play due to injury and there was the adjustment stage that Ben Simmons had to endure. For the last two seasons, some semblance of light could be seen, meaning Philly may be on the right track.

Things may not be looking good for Brown but those are facts that need to be taken into consideration. The next question is will Philly management even consider it. If they do opt to sign a new head coach, are the Sixers ready to undergo another tedious period of adjustment? Will this be good (or bad) for the franchise?

Brown will leave that choice to management. In case he does get the boot, there are coaches who would love to take over the Sixers coaching position. Among the unemployed mentors include Tom Thibodeau, Jeff Van Gundy, Stan Van Gundy, and Dave Joerger, NJ.com reported. They are tested coaches although handling a young team with several veterans may not be an easy task.

Thibodeau would be a curious choice considering he holds ties with Jimmy Butler. The 29-year-old swingman previously said he wouldn't mind staying in Philadelphia and the Thibodeau's entry could further bolster that from happening.

Similar to that game-winning shot of Kawhi Leonard in game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals, Brown will be waiting if the ball drops in or rim out as far as his future in the City of Brotherly Love.