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The Philadelphia 76ers have added a towering option to their frontcourt, converting Tacko Fall’s training-camp agreement into a two-way contract just days before the regular-season opener.
The move gives the team another center option as injuries complicate its plans behind Joel Embiid.
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ESPN reporter Shams Charania reported the signing Saturday, with Philadelphia later confirming the transaction. Fall stands 7-foot-6 and joined the Sixers on an Exhibit 10 deal in September.
However, a hip strain suffered during training camp kept him out of the preseason, making his availability for the start of the season a key question.
The signing follows a major setback for Ariel Hukporti, who ruptured his right Achilles tendon during Philadelphia’s preseason opener against the New York Knicks. He underwent surgery and is expected to miss the entire season.
Adem Bona has also been dealing with a foot injury, leaving the Sixers short on traditional center depth as they prepare to face New York on Tuesday.
Fall’s contract provides insurance. Two-way players can split time between an NBA team and its G League affiliate, giving Philadelphia flexibility while it evaluates its options.
Fall will first need to recover from his hip injury and regain his basketball conditioning after missing the preseason.
Fall offers size and NBA experience
Fall played college basketball at the University of Central Florida from 2015 to 2019 before entering the NBA Draft.
He went undrafted in 2019 but signed with the Boston Celtics, spending two seasons with the franchise before joining the Cleveland Cavaliers for the 2021-22 campaign.
He hasn’t appeared in an NBA regular-season game since then, later continuing his career overseas.
Most recently, Fall played for the Ningbo Rockets in China, appearing in 40 games last season and averaging 10.8 points, 6.0 rebounds and 2.2 blocks. That experience could help him stay game-ready, although adjusting to the NBA again will take time.
Across 37 NBA appearances, Fall has averaged 2.2 points and 2.1 rebounds in limited minutes while shooting 67.3% from the field.
During the 2020-21 season with Boston, he averaged 2.5 points and 1.1 blocks per game. Those numbers reflect a limited role, but his size could help protect the rim and provide a target near the basket if he’s ready to contribute.
Philadelphia’s preseason has also highlighted how much work remains for the roster to find its rhythm. In the finale against Boston, Embiid delivered 27 points, eight rebounds and five assists, though the Sixers lost 125-120.
The team’s stars have said they’re still learning to play together, and Embiid has rejected the idea that anyone must sacrifice their strengths for the group to succeed.
With opening night approaching, Fall gives Philadelphia another potential solution to a pressing roster problem. His impact will depend on his recovery and readiness, but the Sixers are clearly seeking more size and depth at a position suddenly under pressure.