The NBA is still trying to solve the Victor Wembanyama problem. The San Antonio Spurs prodigy, with his 7-foot-4 stature, has been nothing but a force on both ends of the floor. Defense doesn’t work on him. He moves like a point guard and dunks with his feet touching the hardwood. But it suddenly looks like only one team has cracked the code to stop him.

ESPN’s Dave McMenamin reported, “The Philadelphia 76ers have signed Tacko Fall, Jameer Nelson Jr. and Saint Thomas, the team announced. All three players are on Exhibit 10 deals, a source told ESPN, and will be a part of Sixers training camp.”

They received non-guaranteed Exhibit 10 contracts which means in simple terms they get a chance to get the players into training camps, evaluate them and then decide whether they are worth keep around without really guaranteeing them a sport on the regular season roster. Even with this clause, for Fall this feels like a much needed chance to get back into the NBA.

Boston Celtics fans embraced Fall after he went undrafted in 2019, but his opportunities stayed scarce. He later joined the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2021-22, appearing in 11 games with one start. Across both teams, the 7-foot-6 owns 37 appearances. He averaged 1.1 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 0.6 blocks in 5.4 minutes, while shooting 41.7% from the field.

Still, Fall kept his career moving overseas. He played for Jiangsu Flying Tigers, Nanjing Monkey Kings, New Zealand Breakers, and Ningbo Rockets. Recently, he posted 11.2 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks. At the 2026 NBA All-Star Celebrity Game, he added 20 points, 21 rebounds, and five blocks.

Also, Fall can actually give Philadelphia another depth option behind Joel Embiid. Of course, he has to make his case at training camp first. Adam Aaronson reported that the Sixers have kept their final two way spot open, with Fall, Nelson Jr. and Thomas all eligible for it.

There is also an interesting Wembanyama angle to the signing. Kendrick Perkins suggested that the Spurs star could be behind Philadelphia’s decision to bring in Fall. He wrote on X, “Wemby is to Blame for this move!!! 76ers definitely going all in!!!”

Perkins was mearly responding to an NBACentral post about a Polymarker NBA championship market which gave Philadelphia a 13% championship probability. Only the third-highest mark behind the Oklahoma City Thunder and Spurs.

Of course, the idea that Fall was signed to prepare for Wembanyama is seemingly more playful than literal. But NBA fans are taking things quite seriously!

LeBron James & Co.’s latest additions have thrown fans into a frenzy

“The Wemby Stopper,” someone commented on X. Well, after Fall’s return to the NBA, Victor will be the second-tallest player in the league. But again, that isn’t the intrigue in this case. LeBron James now has a player who could possibly torment the French star for a while. And physically at least there is some logic behind that joke.

Fall stands at around 7-foot-6 and weighs around 310 pounds, with an 8-foot-2.25 wingspan. Wembanyama, meanwhile, is 7-foot-4 and around 235 pounds with an 8-foot wingspan. So that does give Fall around a 75-pound weight advantage! That being said, his size alone doesn’t make him a Wemby stopper.

His limited mobility and offensive game remain major concerns. Plus, he still needs to earn his place on the roster. But as a practice and matchup tool, only a few players can replicate the size Fall brings. 

Another fan shared a GIF of LeBron’s famous 2019 viral moment: “It’s Taco Tuesday.” The fan captioned, “Right on Cue @KingJames.” Look, it might be coincidental, but the Sixers’ Tacko Fall announcement dropping on Tuesday feels predestined. Tac(k)o Tuesday…if you will?

Meanwhile, a comment read: “The Sixers think they’re going to the finals or something cause what they need a wemby stopper for.” The Philadelphia 76ers are seemingly preparing for a deep playoff run and specifically want Fall’s massive size to defend Victor Wembanyama.

Someone said, “They really don’t trust Embiid’s knees 😹😹😹😹😹😹😹.” You truly cannot blame the Sixers if this is true. Joel Embiid’s knees have been a major concern for the franchise. In fact, he is reportedly working through an offseason conditioning program while continuing to manage long-term recovery and swelling in his chronic left knee. This situation calls for a backup big man to cover up for Embiid’s absence.

Lastly, keeping up with the sentiments, a fan commented, “Philly think they playing Spurs in the finals.” Well, it wouldn’t be surprising if LeBron James & Co. truly make it to the finals this season. So they’re making preparations.

Tacko Fall’s comeback is a major headline for the league. But for the fans, it feels like there is some skepticism because the 30-year-old has been away from the NBA for four years. Yet, he is back, and he will team up with LeBron James, Jaylen Brown, and others to fight for the ring.