Rivers, who spent seven seasons with the Clippers - making the playoffs in six of them - will take over from Brett Brown, who was fired after the 76ers were swept in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.

Philadelphia, led by Australian superstar Ben Simmons and centre Joel Embiid, have not won an NBA championship since 1983.

The Sixers have not formally announced the move, but AP understands an agreement has been reached.

Rivers was fired about two weeks after the Los Angeles Clippers wasted a 3-1 series lead and lost to the Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference semi-finals, a disappointing finish for a team that was expected to compete for a championship following the additions of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George.

But losing three closeout opportunities to the Nuggets cost the Clippers a chance to play the Los Angeles Lakers in the West finals, and likely played a role in Rivers not remaining as coach.

Rivers also coached the Orlando Magic and Boston Celtics, winning the NBA title with the Celtics in 2008.

The 76ers were 43-30 this season and had woefully underachieved in a year when they were expected to be serious contenders in the Eastern Conference.

Brown was tasked with the leading the Sixers through a rebuild dubbed "The Process," where management stripped the roster of serious NBA talent to lose games and increase their odds at better draft picks. Brown won only 47 games in his first three seasons, including a 10-72 record in 2015-16.

The philosophy paid off when Philly drafted Embiid and Simmons, who both became All-Stars and lead the Sixers to two straight trips to the Eastern Conference semifinals.

But Simmons missed the postseason with a knee injury and neither Embiid nor the players brought in in recent years could provide enough scoring in clutch situations against Boston.

General manager Elton Brand said after he fired Brown he would evaluate the front office and consider more changes but doesn't plan to trade either of his two top stars.

Australian Associated Press