Even though he displayed impressive performances during his four-year stay with the UCF Knights, Tacko Fall went undrafted in the 2019 NBA Draft. However, he managed to find a new team after signing an Exhibit 10 contract with the Boston Celtics, and now he’s fighting to keep a spot on the Celtics roster for the upcoming season.
The 7-foot-6 center showcased some solid performances in the Las Vegas Summer League, displaying excellent length, along with dunking and shot-blocking abilities. Fall also became a fan favorite, and considering that Boston is thin at the center position, Fall has a realistic chance to stay at TD Garden. Enes Kanter should be Brad Stevens’ top option below the rims while Vincent Poirier and Robert Williams are Fall’s rivals in the battle for a backup center.
The Celtics currently have 18 players on the roster including guards Max Strus and Tremont Waters, who signed two-way contracts. The possibility remains that the team could try to keep him with the G-League affiliate, the Maine Red Claws. However, other NBA teams could take Fall off waivers, and his agent, Justin Haynes, thinks that Fall should have enough suitors to sign a contract.
“If the Celtics release him, I don’t think he goes unclaimed,” said Haynes, per Adam Himmelsbach of The Boston Globe. “I think somebody will take a shot on him because he’s done enough to show he can find a place in the NBA. I’m really hopeful that it’s Boston. I hope they find a way, and they do have a vision for him.”
There are several teams in the league that are thin at center position and could be interested in bringing in Fall, but the Celtics are also one of those teams, and it seems they have a plan for him.
Danny Ainge even said that Fall would have a chance to enter the roster and that his development is a high priority for the Celtics.
We're all here to witness Tacko Fall grow. #Celtics #NBA #NBATwitter pic.twitter.com/qITBBunKIJ
— Celtics Nation (@CelticsNationCP) August 18, 2019
