Tacko Fall has been handed an opportunity to resurrect his NBA career after the Philadelphia 76ers added the 7-foot-6 centre to their training-camp roster.
Philadelphia also signed guard Jameer Nelson Jr. and forward Saint Thomas, with all three players reportedly joining the organisation on Exhibit 10 contracts.
The agreements allow them to participate in training camp and compete for places on the final roster or one of the Sixers’ two-way contracts.
Fall’s arrival is easily the most eye-catching.
The 30-year-old has not played an NBA game since December 2021, but his extraordinary size and recent overseas experience have convinced Philadelphia to give him another opportunity.
Fall Has Not Secured a Regular-Season Roster Spot
The Sixers’ announcement should not be mistaken for confirmation that Fall will play alongside LeBron James, Joel Embiid and Jaylen Brown during the regular season.
An Exhibit 10 contract is generally a one-year, non-guaranteed minimum agreement designed to bring a player into training camp.
Philadelphia can convert the deal into a two-way contract before the season or waive Fall and potentially direct him towards its G League affiliate, the Delaware Blue Coats.
The Sixers are reportedly keeping their final two-way position available entering camp, giving Fall, Nelson and Thomas a clear incentive to impress.
However, only one of the three could fill that vacancy unless Philadelphia changes one of its existing agreements.
Fall therefore has an NBA opportunity rather than a guaranteed NBA job.
Tacko Fall Returns After Four Years Overseas
Fall became one of basketball’s most recognisable players after going undrafted in 2019 and earning a place with the Boston Celtics.
He appeared in 26 regular-season games across two years with Boston before joining the Cleveland Cavaliers for the 2021–22 campaign.
Fall played 11 games for Cleveland, taking his NBA career total to 37 appearances.
He averaged 2.2 points, 2.4 rebounds and 0.8 blocks in approximately six minutes per game while shooting 67.3 per cent from the field.
Although his role was limited, Fall became an enormous fan favourite in Boston. Supporters regularly demanded his introduction during one-sided games, while his size made every block and dunk a spectacle.
The Senegalese centre subsequently continued his career overseas, playing in China and Australia.
Fall spent the 2025–26 season with the Ningbo Rockets in the Chinese Basketball Association. Across his four seasons outside the NBA, he reportedly averaged 11.2 points, 7.2 rebounds and 2.1 blocks in only 18.1 minutes per game.
Those numbers demonstrate that he can remain extremely productive in a specialised role.
Whether those skills can translate back into the faster and more tactically demanding NBA is the question Philadelphia must answer during camp.
Fall Offers Something Nobody Else Can Replicate
Fall’s appeal is obvious.
At 7-foot-6 with an enormous wingspan, he can protect the rim without needing to leave the ground, finish directly above defenders and create problems around the basket that cannot be replicated in training.
He could also provide Philadelphia with a completely different option behind Embiid.
The Sixers’ opponents already need to prepare for Embiid’s physical scoring, Maxey’s speed, Brown’s athleticism and James’ playmaking. Fall would present a unique challenge during short stretches when Philadelphia wants to protect the rim or dominate the offensive glass.
His presence could be particularly useful against teams carrying traditional centres.
Fall’s size makes him extremely difficult to move once he establishes deep position, while guards cannot comfortably challenge him at the basket.
However, the modern NBA also exposes his biggest weaknesses.
Opponents will force Fall into pick-and-roll actions, pull him away from the rim and test whether he can defend quicker players in space. His limited mobility can make him vulnerable against five-out offences containing multiple shooters.
That is why his NBA career has so far been measured in brief appearances rather than regular rotation minutes.
Embiid’s Availability Creates an Opportunity
Philadelphia’s need for additional centre depth is understandable because Embiid’s availability can never be assumed across an entire season.
The former MVP has not played more than 39 regular-season games in any campaign since 2022–23.
Keeping Embiid healthy for the playoffs will remain one of the Sixers’ most important priorities, particularly after constructing a championship-calibre roster featuring James, Brown, Maxey and VJ Edgecombe.
Ariel Hukporti and second-year centre Adem Bona are expected to enter camp ahead of Fall in the competition for backup minutes.
Both players offer more mobility and are better suited to the switching and recovery demands of modern NBA defence.
Fall’s path to the roster may therefore depend on proving that his specialist strengths can outweigh those limitations.
Philadelphia does not need him to play 20 minutes every night.
It needs to determine whether there are enough situations in which five or six minutes of Fall could change a game.
Jameer Nelson Jr. Brings an Interesting Family Connection
Nelson’s signing will also attract scrutiny because his father, former NBA All-Star Jameer Nelson, is Philadelphia’s executive vice-president of basketball operations.
The younger Nelson must now prove he earned the opportunity through his own performances.
He made a strong case in the G League last season, averaging 18.9 points, 3.4 assists, 3.0 rebounds and 1.2 steals across 25 appearances for the Stockton Kings.
Nelson shot 47.5 per cent from the field while averaging 25.3 minutes per game.
The 25-year-old previously joined San Antonio and Sacramento on Exhibit 10 agreements without securing a lasting NBA position.
His family connection may have helped Philadelphia identify him, but it will not guarantee a roster place when he is competing against established guards and other developmental prospects.
Saint Thomas Already Knows the Sixers’ System
Thomas has the clearest connection to Philadelphia’s development program after spending the 2025–26 season with Delaware.
The 23-year-old averaged 12.5 points, 5.0 rebounds and 3.7 assists across 36 G League games.
He also appeared in four Summer League matches for Philadelphia, averaging 4.5 points and 4.2 rebounds in 15.5 minutes.
Thomas does not carry Fall’s profile or Nelson’s family connection, but his familiarity with the organisation could work in his favour.
He already understands the Blue Coats’ system and has demonstrated an ability to contribute across several statistical categories.
If Philadelphia wants to use its remaining two-way contract on a versatile developmental forward, Thomas could possess the most straightforward pathway.
Fall Is the Most Fascinating but Least Predictable Option
Fall will become one of the biggest stories of Philadelphia’s training camp regardless of whether he makes the team.
His size ensures every practice clip will attract attention, while the prospect of him sharing a frontcourt with Embiid will create considerable excitement among supporters.
The basketball decision will be more complicated.
Fall must show that he can defend NBA pick-and-rolls, avoid unnecessary fouls and remain effective when opponents attempt to play him off the court.
If he succeeds, Philadelphia could add one of the league’s most distinctive reserve centres without making a significant financial commitment.
If he does not, the Exhibit 10 contract allows the Sixers to move on without damaging their roster or salary-cap flexibility.
Fall has not officially completed his NBA comeback.
After nearly five years away from the league, he finally has a legitimate chance to earn it.
