The Philadelphia 76ers just finalized their roster, officially signing Tacko Fall to their third and final two-way contract, but get this: the dude missed the entire preseason with a hip injury. He’s joining Caleb Love and Rayan Rupert, filling that last slot, and honestly, it tells you everything about the absolute mess their frontcourt has become.
The Frontcourt Is a Hospital Ward, And Fall’s Arrival Is an SOS
The Sixers’ big man rotation is already in absolute shambles, man. Ariel Hukporti tore his Achilles way back in the preseason, and Adem Bona hasn’t touched the court at all because he’s still rehabbing a foot injury he picked up over the summer. Add Dominick Barlow to the list, sidelined with a back issue. It’s a brutal start, no doubt. Jabari Walker has been forced into extended minutes and has done well, which is great, but the team desperately needs more bodies, more size, more rebounding, and crucially, more rim protection behind Joel Embiid. So, yeah, bringing in Fall, even after he sat out the whole preseason himself with a hip injury, highlights just how dire things are up front.
More Than Just Size: The Connections That Mattered
So why Fall, especially with him nursing an injury himself? Turns out, it’s not just about his massive 7-foot-6 frame. The guy has serious connections within the organization. He’s got a strong, lasting friendship with Jaylen Brown from their Celtics days, and Mike Gansey, who’s now in the Sixers front office, knew Fall from his time with the Cavaliers in 2021-22. On top of that, Fall has apparently already gelled with several guys in the Philly locker room since arriving. It’s a combination of unique size, rebounding, and rim protection, alongside a personality that clearly fits the team’s culture. He’s 30 years old, only played under 40 NBA games, so they’re not bringing him in to be a starter or play heavy minutes every night. This move is all about matchup-specific depth, giving them a unique option off the bench when they face bigger frontcourts or super physical centers. He’s insurance, pure and simple, and he brings that experience and crazy wingspan when the situation screams for it.
This isn’t a splashy signing, man, but it’s absolutely crucial for the Sixers as they round out their roster for the regular season. With injuries already tearing through their frontcourt, Fall provides a unique skill set and a much-needed experienced body. Keep an eye on when this dude actually hits the court and how Coach uses that incredible size; it’s gonna be interesting to see if he can provide that spark when they need it most.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Liberty Ballers.
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