The Philadelphia 76ers made a couple of cuts ahead of their NBA preseason finale against the Boston Celtics, which takes place at home on Friday night.
According to Sixers reporter Matt Murphy, the team is cutting ties with multiple Exhibit 10 players. The 24-year-old guard Duke Miles and the 23-year-old forward Saint Thomas will not be with the team when they close out the preseason this week.
A good sign for Tacko Fall
The 76ers have an open two-way slot that players on camp deals have been battling for. Among the group of players competing for that final spot is the 31-year-old veteran, Tacko Fall. While two-way spots are typically reserved for younger players with a lack of experience, Fall still qualifies.
Barring any changes before Friday’s action against the Celtics, the Sixers have three players who are trying to squeeze in for that final spot. Fall, Jameer Nelson Jr., and Dillon Jones are the three other Exhibit 10 players hoping to get the final spot.
Nelson and Jones have an advantage, considering they can present their final case to get the spot on Friday night. Since the start of the preseason, Jones and Nelson have maintained good health. They have been in the mix since the start of camp and will get some limited minutes before the team wraps up the preseason.
As for Fall, he went down with an injury just two days into training camp. Following a practice session, it was reported that Fall was dealing with a hip injury. He was later diagnosed with a left hip strain after getting an MRI. The team projected a two-week timeline before his next evaluation. Fall has not been a part of the team’s recent on-court activities.
A lack of performances is certainly a downside for Fall this preseason, but his position is an advantage. The Sixers entered training camp with thin depth at the center position behind Joel Embiid. Ariel Hukporti, Adem Bona, and Fall were the traditional bigs on the team.
Bona has been dealing with a foot injury, which forced him to miss every preseason game so far. The trend will continue on Friday night. As for Hukporti, he went down with an injury during the Sixers’ first preseason game against the New York Knicks. Hukporti has been ruled out with an Achilles injury.
While the 76ers will certainly try to get creative with the center spot, utilizing small-ball centers with a rotation of several players, Fall would give the team more size. He might not have been able to showcase where he’s at at this stage of his career, but the circumstances could help him out.
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