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.

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

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

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

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

Feb 10, 2019; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) and Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) embrace before the first quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

There's not much left to contemplate.

Mar 27, 2026; Chicago, IL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide guard Labaron Philon Jr. (0) looks to pass during the first half against the Michigan Wolverines during a Sweet Sixteen game of the Midwest Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

From the moment Mike Gansey took questions in the minutes after his first move as president of basketball operations, the Sixers have made it clear that they expect rookie guard Labaron Philon Jr. to be in the regular rotation.

Jun 23, 2026; New York, NY, USA; The twenty second pick in the 2026 NBA draft, Alabama guard Labaron Philon Jr. after he was selected by the Philadelphia 76ers at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

The first half showcased the allure of Philon's game from every angle.

Jan 17, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Boston Celtics guard Anfernee Simons (4) shoots against the Atlanta Hawks in the fourth quarter at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

After splitting last season between the Boston Celtics and Chicago Bulls, Simons will ostensibly walk in as the team's sixth man on day one.

May 8, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul George (8) controls the ball against the New York Knicks during the fourth quarter of game three of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

Read between the lines of their moves thus far this summer.

Apr 26, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) reacts after making a three point basket against the Philadelphia 76ers during the second half at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

Brown is far from a perfect fit. His next contract extension will be a topic of conversation sooner rather than later. But, for now, he's the hinge of two timelines in Philadelphia.

Apr 30, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) dribbles the ball against the Philadelphia 76ers during the first quarter at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

Now that there's been some time to think about a new dawn of professional basket basketball, here is the first in a series of five thoughts on the reimagined Sixers.

May 11, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) during the second half in game four of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Thunder and lightning often go hand in hand, and the Sixers delivered a boom that shook the NBA on Wednesday. They agreed to a deal to acquire Jaylen Brown from

May 2, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey (0) talks with Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7)after PhiladephiaÕs win in game seven of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images

Exactly three weeks after Gansey was introduced as the new president of basketball operations, the Sixers pounced.

Oct 9, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Dean Wade (32) controls the ball against the Chicago Bulls during the first half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images

The Sixers are on the board on the first night of free agency.

Mar 3, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Trendon Watford (12) shoots against the San Antonio Spurs during the fourth quarter at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

No, it's not flashy. But it will be the final table-setting business for them to handle before they can engage in this summer's free agency sweepstakes.

Apr 29, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Toronto Raptors forward Sandro Mamukelashvili (54) celebrates his three-point basket against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the third quarter of game five of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images

If the Cleveland Cavaliers' recent roster history is any indicator, Sixers new president of basketball operations Mike Gansey may have a path to landing one of the more intriguing fits when free agency opens on Tuesday.

Austin Krell

Joined Dec 5, 2025

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

This LeBron Thing Is Getting Old

How Labaron Philon Jr. Will Contrast With Tyrese Maxey

How Labaron Philon Fared in His Summer League Debut

How Anfernee Simons Will Replace Quentin Grimes

What the Sixers' Backup Center Situation Says About Their Identity

What the Jaylen Brown Trade Says About the Joel Embiid Era in Philadelphia

The Series of Lucky Events That Got Jaylen Brown to the Sixers

Why the Sixers Have a Strong Case to Appeal to LeBron James

Joel Embiid Tore the Boston Celtics Down, Mike Gansey Built the Sixers Back Up

Report: Former Cavs Forward to Reunite With Mike Gansey, Sign With Sixers

Why the Sixers Will Do Business Before Free Agency Begins

Why the Sixers Could Have the Inside Track to Sandro Mamukelashvili