76ers Convert Tacko Fall's Contract to Two-Way Deal

Tacko Fall gets a second chance in the NBA. The Philadelphia 76ers have converted the Exhibit 10 contract that the Senegalese center signed in the summer to a two-way deal, according to Shams Charania on ESPN. At 7'5", Fall is entering his fourth season in the league after four years away from it.

The decision responds to a need. Philadelphia lost one of its backup centers when Ariel Hukporti tore his Achilles tendon in the first preseason game. Behind Joel Embiid, head coach Nick Nurse has limited depth at center: Adem Bona and Dominick Barlow missed the preseason due to injury, and the remaining options are smaller players, including LeBron James himself. Fall has also been unable to play in recent weeks due to a hip strain suffered in practice, but the Sixers preferred to secure his size heading into the season.

From Boston sensation to Chinese league

Fall became popular with fans in the Boston Celtics, with whom he played 26 games between 2019 and 2021, and later played for the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2021-22. His role was always limited: in 37 NBA games he averaged 2.2 points and 2.4 rebounds in just six minutes. Since then he has played in China and New Zealand. Last season, with the Ningbo Rockets of the Chinese CBA, he posted 10.8 points, 6 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per game.

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With the two-way contract, Fall will be able to split time between the Sixers and the Delaware Blue Coats, their G League affiliate. He shares those roster spots with Caleb Love and Rayan Rupert. The Sixers open the regular season on Tuesday at Madison Square Garden against the Knicks.