With the Addition of Tacko Fall, the Cleveland Cavaliers Could Roll Out a Starting 5 of Players 6-Foot-10 or Taller That Actually Makes Positional Sense

The Cleveland Cavaliers added another player at the end of last season who could be a major addition in the upcoming NBA Summer League. Tacko Fall—one of the most intriguing players in the draft class—was selected with the 45th overall pick. Fall was a four-year player at the University of Central Florida, and although he was a standout player, his play did drop a bit in his senior season.

It’s easy to get lost in the minutiae of basketball. For instance, the Cleveland Cavaliers are slated to debut a starting lineup featuring no fewer than four players 6-foot-10 or taller, against the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday night. But forget the lineups for a moment. What do the Cavs have in Tacko Fall?

To get a good understanding of the situation, it’s important to know that Ronaldo has two main agents: Jorge Mendes and Simon de Quieroz. The former runs Ronaldo’s affairs for him, while the latter is a consultant for Mendes; they represent a large number of top players in the world, and are instrumental in the transfer market. The Ronaldo-Juventus situation has been a tense one: after four years at the Juventus, Ronaldo returned to United and signed a new £300,000-a-week, four-year deal in the summer of 2018.

Tacko Fall was signed to a one-year, non-guaranteed contract by the Cleveland Cavaliers. Before the regular season begins, the club may release him. However, the prospect of Fall in Cleveland’s already-loaded frontcourt is appealing. It could also potentially enable the Cavaliers to have a starting lineup comprised entirely of guys 6 feet 10 inches or higher, which would make positional sense.

At best, there’s a small possibility of this occurring. But, since the Cavs aren’t going to compete for a playoff berth in 2021-22, why not experiment with ridiculousness when the club is a dozen games behind the 10 seed with five games remaining in the regular season?

Tacko Fall was added to the Cleveland Cavaliers’ already stacked frontcourt.

After being acquired in a trade with the Chicago Bulls, the 7-6 former Celtic joins a front line that now includes Lauri Markkanen. With the third overall selection in the 2021 draft, Cleveland selected USC big man Evan Mobley. Jarrett Allen was acquired by the Cavs as part of the James Harden deal, which sent the former Rockets superstar to Brooklyn. Allen was then re-signed to a five-year, $100 million contract by the team.

Cleveland has yet to make a qualifying offer to center Isaiah Hartenstein, so he may stay with the team for the time being. With a non-guaranteed contract, Mifondu Kabengele is in the same boat as Fall.

Under head coach JB Bickerstaff, three 7-footers — Markkanen, Mobley, and Allen — are all expected to play substantial minutes. If the team keeps Fall, Hartenstein, and Kabengele, or even two of them, that’s two additional guys 6-10 or taller on the roster.

The Cleveland Cavaliers roster huddles before the start of their home game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse.

The Cleveland Cavaliers roster huddles before the start of their home game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse. Before the start of their home game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse, the Cleveland Cavaliers gather. Getty Images/Lauren Bacho

Sure, this is pushing things a little too far. By the time the season starts, Fall, Hartenstein, and Kabengele may have all vanished. If they aren’t, here’s how a starting five made up entirely of big guys could look when the Cavs hit the floor at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse:

Lauri Markkanen is the producer.

Evan Mobley, SG

Mifondu Kabengele (SF)

Jarrett Allen, PF

Tacko Tacko Tacko Tacko Tacko Tacko T

Markkanen is the archetypal large stretch. He’s a knockdown shooter from a standstill, but he can also create off the dribble. Mobley is regarded as the perfect center for today’s NBA, a perimeter-oriented 7-footer capable of rim protection. Mobley is a dynamic offensive player with star potential who has yet to reach his full potential.

Kabengele, who stands 6-10 and weighs 256 pounds, is a physical specimen. During his time at Florida State, the big man spent most of his time at the post. He did, however, show glimpses of shot creativity, hitting 36.9% of his threes. Allen is a rim-running big man who can block shots with the best of them, but he also has the speed to break out and run in transition. Fall’s 7-6 size is self-evident.

Kevin Love, who is technically still on the Cleveland roster, would be a great match for this rotation. If the Cavs choose to go “small,” Cedi Osman and Dylan Windler, both listed at 6-7, are available.

What’s the harm in a little tomfoolery when the Cleveland Cavaliers don’t have anything to play for this year?

Barring a trade, Collin Sexton and Darius Garland are the team’s starting guards. Along with Allen and Isaac Okoro, Markkanen should be in the starting lineup. Outside of those five, Osman, Damyean Dotson, and Ricky Rubio are the team’s best alternatives at the moment. This is not a team that inspires confidence.

With another high lottery selection in mind, the franchise is also on its way to a tank job. If Cleveland has to lose a few games to earn the No. 1 selection before the end of the year, what better way to accomplish it than to play five giants at the same time?

Basketball-Reference provided all statistics, while Spotrac provided salary information.

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