Considering the Philadelphia 76ers’ financial situation, they are more than likely going to roll with the current roster throughout the first couple of months of the 2026-2027 NBA season. The current plan is to keep the 15th spot on the roster open to maintain flexibility throughout the year.
When the veteran big man Tacko Fall signed with the Sixers recently, his name generated a ton of buzz, as if he had a strong shot at cracking the final roster. The chances are extremely thin—and Fall doesn’t have any guarantees on the table. Still, there is an opportunity for Fall to stick with the Sixers, just without an actual standard roster spot.
The battle for a two-way slot
In the past, the Sixers would enter training camp with each two-way slot filled out. With Mike Gansey and Jameer Nelson now running the show in the front office, they kept slot No. 3 open. The rumored plan suggested the Sixers would have a training camp battle for the final spot, which gives Fall an opportunity to pounce.
Although Fall is 30 and started his NBA career in 2019 with the Boston Celtics, he hasn’t played enough to take away his eligibility for a two-way contract. If the Sixers want to go in that direction, they will be able to. Of course, Fall has to earn it, and he’ll be battling with other recently-signed Exhibit 10 players such as Jameer Nelson Jr. and Saint Thomas.
Tacko Fall’s advantage
Experience helps, for sure. Fall played with the Celtics for two seasons and had a short stretch with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2021-2022. Despite being around for three NBA seasons, Fall has appeared in just 37 games. He averaged 6.2 minutes on the court, producing 2.2 points, 2.4 rebounds, and nearly 1.0 blocks.
Beyond that, the Sixers have a clear need for depth at the center position. The team left the opening weeks of free agency with one center addition in Ariel Hukporti. Since then, they traded the second-year big man Johni Broome, leaving the team with Joel Embiid, Adem Bona, and Hukporti. Behind an often-injured Embiid are two young and developing bigs.
Fall brings size to the table, and another center who might carry question marks but can be another body thrown into the mix. And who knows? Maybe some time outside of the NBA allowed Fall to work on some weak spots. The Sixers received quality play out of players who left the league for an overseas run before; maybe Fall can do the same.
The big drawback
Two-way contracts aren’t massive commitments. They are inexpensive and short-term. So, if the Sixers bring on a player they aren’t going to hold for a while, it’s not a major deal. But there is somewhat of a big drawback to giving a 30-year-old big man, who has underwhelmed before, a two-way position.
These roster spots are typically reserved for young players who are developing for the future. Currently, the oldest two-way player is Pat Spencer, who signed his contract at 29. There aren’t any 30-year-olds on a two-way. The Sixers always lean young on two-ways—and currently employ Caleb Love (24) and Rayan Rupert (22)—would they actually take a chance away from a young prospect just trying to crack the league for the first time? Fall’s performance at training camp will reveal the truth.
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