Tackomaniacs, rejoice! The man at the center of the NBA’s most anticipated signing has finally made it official.
Rookie big man Tacko Fall, who went undrafted in the 2019 NBA Draft, had his Exhibit 10 contract converted to a two-way contract on Sunday, after teammate Max Strus was signed to a partially guaranteed deal to compete with guard Javonte Green for the team’s final roster spot.
Fall’s Goliath-like 7-foot-5 stature and imposing presence in the paint, juxtaposed with his “gentle giant” personality, have combined to tantalize Boston fans, who want to see the UCF product hold court with the Celtics.
Those fans may not see as much of the former Knight in TD Garden, as the nature of his contract limits the number of games he’d spend with the Celtics. Two-way players are permitted to spend a maximum 45 days with the parent club.
Most of Fall’s season will be spent in Portland, Maine, with the Red Claws, Boston’s NBA G League affiliate.
Should he excel there (or recently-promoted wing Strus disappoint), there’s always a chance Fall could be bumped up to a regular contract and potential postseason eligibility. Despite his promising flashes in Las Vegas Summer League and preseason tilts, the big man still has a long way to go in terms of learning defensive rotations and improving his response time and footwork.
For the many fans of Fall who are hungry for a Tacko of the inedible sort, the news should be widely welcomed. While the rookie center’s height may dominate most narratives swirling the young prospect, his drive, dedication and natural talents may indeed be worth the investment by the Celtics’ front office.
