Austin Krell

Joined Dec 5, 2025

Austin Krell has covered the Sixers beat since the 2020-21 NBA season. Previous outlets include 97.3 ESPN and OnPattison.com. He also covered the NBA, at large, for USA Today. When he’s not consuming basketball in some form, he’s binge-watching a tv show, enjoying a movie, or listening to a music playlist on repeat.

Dean Wade at the DICK'S Sport Goods in King of Prussia

Feb 22, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) shoots against Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) during the second half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

May 2, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey (0) celebrates during the final moments of their win over the Boston Celtics in game seven of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images

May 10, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) looks on against the New York Knicks in the second quarter during game four of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images

Nov 8, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) looks over video with assistant coach Phil Handy before playing against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports

When he talks, players will listen.

May 2, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) silences the crowd after making a shot against the Boston Celtics during the second quarter of game seven of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images

15 of those 20 games are against teams that will be jockeying for postseason positioning in their respective conferences.

Aug 6, 2026; Camden, NJ, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Jaylen Brown speaks with the media during his introductory press conference at the Francis J. Myers Recreation Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

One of the Sixers' most formidable opponents this season could be themselves. Will egos leave them with regrets?

Jaylen Brown likes to say that the start of something new must mean the end of something else. But as much as he wants to embrace his new chapter in Philadelphia, there are still faint traces of sadness.

May 11, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) moves the ball against Oklahoma City Thunder guard Alex Caruso (9) during the first half in game four of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

At 6-foot-9 and 250 pounds, James is not misfit to do some of the things that true forwards do. More importantly, he's cognizant of the value he can add by getting involved in actions as the screener.

Bill Strobel (@billstro4_art on Instagram) spent Saturday and Sunday painting a LeBron James mural at 18th and Fairmount.

Shortly after news broke that James was coming to Philadelphia, Strobel received a notification from Instagram. Someone had tagged him in a post. It was a simple message.

Apr 18, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) reacts in the first half against the Houston Rockets during game one of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

With each passing day, we're learning more and more about the vision for the prized forward's time with the Sixers.

May 7, 2026; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) reacts after a play against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first half during game two of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

The Sixers needed a power forward. They got a point forward.

The Sixers, in case you missed it, are a massive force in the conference after a summer for the ages, undergoing significant changes headlined by the additions ofLeBron James andJaylen Brown .

Nov 22, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (3) brings the ball up court during the game between the Mavericks and the Grizzlies at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Caldwell-Pope puts the Sixers over the roster maximum, meaning that at least one player will have to go.

Feb 10, 2019; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) reacts with Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) after a 76ers score during the fourth quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

The closest comparison to this degree of fire power might just be the Golden State Warriors when they added Kevin Durant.

May 5, 2026; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) looks towards his bench after a play against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first half during game one of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

Just like that, the Sixers will be the hottest ticket not donning green football helmets in Philadelphia. More importantly, they're even with or above their competition at the top of the Eastern Conference.

Austin Krell

Joined Dec 5, 2025

Dean Wade Blends in, but His First Philanthropic Initiative Stands Out

Five Reasons Why the Sixers Will Win Their Most Games Since 2001

One of Tyrese Maxey's Best Defensive Attributes May Actually Hurt the Sixers

For the First Time, I Don't Know What to Expect From Joel Embiid

Sixers Reportedly Hiring Assistant Coach With Extensive History With LeBron James

How the Sixers' Early Schedule Will Challenge Their Philosophies

Jaylen Brown Said All the Right Things, but Summer Words Are Always Cheap

As Jaylen Brown Embraces His Future in Philadelphia, He's Still Closing the Book on His Past

How the Sixers Can Use LeBron James As a Screener

How Bill Strobel Gave LeBron James a Place in Sixers Lore

Rich Paul Makes Fascinating Comparison for LeBron James' Role With Sixers

Why the Sixers Are Already Planning For LeBron James Correctly

Where the Sixers Stand in the Eastern Conference Hierarchy

Is Kentavious Caldwell-Pope the Final Addition of the Sixers' Offseason?

LeBron James Has Made His Sacrifice, Now the Sixers Must Follow

BREAKING: LeBron James Is Coming to Philadelphia