Tacko Fall. Image via: Adam Pantozzi/National Basketball Association via Getty Images
Tacko Fall, 30, hasn’t played in the NBA since the 2021-22 season with Cleveland. Across parts of three seasons with the Celtics and Cavaliers, he appeared in 37 games and averaged 2.2 points, 2.4 rebounds and 6.2 minutes. Since then, he’s played overseas, most recently with the Ningbo Rockets of the Chinese Basketball Association, and he spent last season with the New Zealand Breakers, averaging 11.4 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.6 blocks over 18 games. Nelson, 25, averaged 18.9 points and 3.4 assists last season with the G League’s Stockton Kings. Thomas, 23, spent last season with Philadelphia’s G League affiliate, the Delaware Blue Coats, putting up 12.5 points and 5.0 rebounds a game before appearing in four Summer League contests for the Sixers this year. Philadelphia enters camp with Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, Brown and James all on the roster, and questions about outside shooting, defensive versatility and health, particularly around Embiid and a 41-year-old James, haven’t gone away. The Sixers open their regular season on October 20 against the Knicks.
He’s the son of longtime NBA guard Jameer Nelson, who now serves as the Sixers’ executive vice president of basketball operations. None of the three is likely to make a real dent in the rotation, and making the roster at all is far from guaranteed. Head coach Nick Nurse will be the one tasked with making the fit work.