Tacko

Fall

Fall will miss at least two weeks with a left hip strain, the 76ers announced Thursday. Once he’s healthy, Fall will compete with Adem Bona and Ariel Hukporti for backup big man minutes behind Joel Embiid.

Fall last played in the NBA in 2022, but he’ll get another shot after playing professionally in China. Fall could make an impact as a backup big man if he sees the court, but he’ll compete with Adem Bona and Ariel Hukporti for minutes behind the oft-injured Joel Embiid. Thomas and Nelson Jr. are unlikely to see many minutes this season, barring multiple injuries up the depth chart.

A fan favorite during his time in the NBA, the 7-foot-6 Fall is headed to China for a second consecutive season. After spending last year with Xinjiang, he’ll join Nanjing for the 2023-24 campaign. Fall appeared in 33 games for Xinjiang, averaging 13.8 points, 10.1 rebounds, 0.8 assists, and 3.3 blocks in 25.7 minutes, shooting 73.1% from the field.

The 7-foot-6 center is a fan favorite and will be missed by the cities of Boston and Cleveland. Maybe he’ll have some success in China and make his way back to the NBA sooner than later.

Fall hasn’t caught on in the NBA and has appeared in just 36 games across three seasons with the Celtics and Cavs. There’s a chance he decides to take on a featured role overseas, especially since he is not currently signed to an NBA team.

Juzang played college ball for three years (one at Kentucky, two at UCLA), and he’s now competing for a roster spot somewhere in the NBA. Of his four SL games played, this was definitely his best one yet, and he opened the game with two triples and eight early points but did struggle with his shot for much of the rest of the game. He agreed to a two-way deal with the Jazz last month and the Jazz are admittedly a mess, but even then, his fantasy appeal isn’t all too great. Leandro Bolmaro led the team with 19 points, and fan favorite Tacko Fall scored eight points with nine rebounds, four blocks, four turnovers and six fouls in just 16 minutes which is now a candidate for weirdest line of this Summer League.

Tacko will always be the biggest guy on the court and you have to think the Jazz will give him some run behind Hassan Whiteside and Walker Kessler once Kessler is back from his toe injury. But Fall is still too raw to be more than a Boban Marjanovic-type factor at this stage in his career. But you can’t teach size and Fall has more of it than anyone.

The Cavaliers needed to free up a two-way contract slot in order to sign Brandon Goodwin, so Fall is being waived. This transaction will not have an impact on fantasy, as Fall hasn’t been in the rotation when the Cavs are full strength (or close to it) in the frontcourt.

Goodwin joined the Cavaliers on a 10-day contract on New Year’s Eve, as the team was hit hard by injuries on the perimeter. And he’s played well, averaging 7.3 points, 3.7 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 0.7 steals in 22.7 minutes per game. As a result, Goodwin is being signed to a two-way contract. With the recent addition of Rajon Rondo, Goodwin is unlikely to play enough to merit fantasy consideration. In order to sign Goodwin, the Cavaliers have waived Tacko Fall.

We’ve reached the Tacko Fall portion of the season but we’re not complaining as he’s always a joy to watch. With all three of Jarrett Allen, Evan Mobley and Ed Davis in the protocols, Fall is on the streaming radar in deeper leagues for the next 1.5 weeks for managers in need of rebounds, blocks and FG%.