NBA Rumors: Tacko Fall signs new deal with China's Nanjing Monkey Kings
Former NBA player Tacko Fall has signed a new deal to play with the Nanjing Monkey Kings of the Chinese Basketball Association, he told Shams Charania of The Athletic in a recent sit-down interview. Fall spent last season in the CBA, where he says he was pushed to new heights as a player and a leader.
"You're the main guy. Everything is focused on you," he told Shams. "[It helped me] get out of my comfort zone." Fall spent three years in the NBA after going undrafted out of Central Florida. He spent two years with Boston (2019-21) and one with Cleveland (2021-22). He also spent time with the Utah Summer League team in 2022.
Fall was a natural storyline in the NBA due to his remarkable height. At 7-foot-6, he became the tallest active player in the league. Unfortunately, the speed and athleticism of the NBA proved too much for Fall. He never carved out a significant role and spent most of his playing time in the G-League. He appeared in 37 NBA games across three seasons, averaging 2.2 points and 2.4 rebounds in 6.2 minutes per game.
Fortunately, the 27-year-old appears quite content with his new home. "China, they love basketball… they're really great people."
NBA Rumors: Warriors work out free agent Glenn Robinson III
The Golden State Warriors held a private free agent workout for Glenn Robinson III, according to Michael A. Scotto of HoopsHype. He's the son of Glenn Robinson, a two-time All-Star and NBA champion. The younger Robinson has seven years of NBA experience, including a fruitful half-season with the Warriors in 2019-20.
Robinson signed with the Warriors in 2019 and appeared in 48 games, averaging 12.9 points and 4.7 rebounds in 31.6 minutes. That was by far the largest role of his career, with Golden State struggling to find suitable replacements for the injured Klay Thompson on the wing. Robinson was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers later that season, where his role diminished drastically.
The former dunk champion most recently played for the Sacramento Kings in 2020-21. Robinson is a naturally gifted athlete on the wing, listed at 6-foot-6 and 222 pounds. He's a career 37.3 percent 3-point shooter on 1.7 attempts per game. His ability to guard multiple positions, hit spot-up 3s, and score on cuts to the basket could appeal to a Warriors team looking to flesh out its training camp roster.
Robinson has definitely proven he can stick in the NBA. Golden State was his most successful stint in the past, which isn't terribly uncommon. Sharing the court with Stephen Curry and Draymond Green tends to make life easier. If Robinson can commit to consistent two-way effort while orbiting the Warriors' star creators, he could find new life in the NBA.
NBA Rumors: Daryl Morey doesn't budge after James Harden comments
James Harden set the NBA offseason on fire with brazen comments about Sixers president Daryl Morey in a recent appearance at a basketball camp in China. "Daryl Morey is a liar and I will never be part of an organization that he's a part of," Harden said to muted applause and a bunch of very confused children. He then reiterated the statement, for good measure.
That settles that, I suppose. The Sixers shut down trade conversations and want to bring Harden into training camp, but the 33-year-old former MVP doesn't plan to show up, according to new reports. There isn't really a good outcome here for Philadelphia, but Harden has made this as uncomfortable as possible.
Unfortunately for Harden, Daryl Morey thrives in uncomfortable situations. The Sixers' president remains "unmoved" by Harden's comments, according to NBA insider Jason Dumas, and will hold firm to his stance that Philadelphia will not trade Harden unless it improves the Sixers. Dumas also notes that Harden's agent "advised [James] against making that statement."
The Sixers weathered the Ben Simmons holdout and are undoubtedly prepared to act similarly with Harden. One potential complication for Harden is the new CBA, which stipulates that a player in the final year of his contract cannot withhold playing services for more than 30 days, lest he incur severe consequences.
Harden cannot hold out for more than a month without essentially losing his ability to leave Philadelphia at season's end. The Sixers can all but force Harden to show up eventually, but it's not the best recipe for success as the team looks to build continuity and chemistry under new head coach Nick Nurse. Philadelphia and Joel Embiid can't catch a break, but this is partially Morey's own doing. It's clear the Sixers told Harden he would receive a long-term extension this summer, then didn't follow through. I'd be upset too.
