On September 27, according to HoopsHype reporter Michael Scotto, the Philadelphia 76ers decided to promote Mike Lonabadi to assistant coach and join Nick Nurse's coaching staff.

Lon Abadi, who previously served as head coach of the Delaware Blue Jackets for the past two seasons, took over in 2023, replacing Kobe Karl, who had just led the Blue Jackets to a G League championship and was promoted to Philadelphia.

Lon Abadi's first season with the Blue Jackets was decent, with a 19-15 regular season and a sixth-place finish in the playoffs, but they were eliminated in the conference semifinals. However, in the 2024-25 season, the Blue Jackets' overall performance declined, finishing 14-20 and missing the playoffs. Factors contributing to this poor record included frequent roster turnover, the loss of players on two-way contracts, and a lack of defensive consistency.

It's worth noting that Lon-Abadi has a rich coaching resume. He has held positions with the Hawks, Wizards, Rockets, Celtics, Suns, Kings, and Cavaliers, winning two NBA championships with the Celtics and Cavaliers. During his time with the Celtics, he was even promoted to defensive coordinator, demonstrating his unique tactical expertise.

His promotion to the 76ers assistant coaching position means Lon Abadi will combine his years of NBA experience with his coaching experience in the Development League to provide more tactical support to Nick Nurse's team. For the 76ers, this is undoubtedly a significant addition to the coaching staff before the new season.