Warriors re-sign Bassey on a one-year deal! Regular roster now at 11 players, with a spot reserved for James

On July 10, Beijing time, renowned reporter Shams reported that, per ESPN sources, the Golden State Warriors have agreed to a one-year deal with center Charles Bassey, as the interior player returns to the Bay Area for his sixth NBA campaign. Bassey rejoins the Warriors after Post left the team upon receiving an offer sheet from the Grizzlies.

Team reporter Slater noted that Bassey's signing fills the 11th roster spot. He is an energetic young backup big man who can handle significant regular-season minutes in the frontcourt rotation. It is widely expected that Green's subsequent contract will occupy the 12th roster spot. Meanwhile, the Warriors plan to keep a roster position open while waiting for LeBron James to make his final decision on his destination.

Bassey stands 2.08 meters tall and weighs 104 kilograms, playing as a center and wearing jersey number 28 for the Warriors. He entered the league as the 53rd pick in the second round of the 2021 draft. As a teenager, he worked at a street-side fried chicken stand in Nigeria and had already surpassed 1.85 meters in height by age 12. After discovering basketball by chance, he traveled to the United States for school, playing college ball at Western Kentucky University, where he twice won the conference Defensive Player of the Year award and once earned Player of the Year. In college, he averaged 15.9 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks per game, showcasing his two-way potential early on.

After being drafted, Bassey first signed a two-way contract with the Philadelphia 76ers, learning interior skills alongside Embiid. In 2022, he moved to the San Antonio Spurs and initially signed a multi-year guaranteed deal, but suffered serious injuries—a patellar fracture and a torn cruciate ligament—that ended two consecutive seasons and derailed his career. After recovering, he bounced between the Celtics and Grizzlies, often relying on short-term or two-way contracts to stay in the league, frequently shuttling between the NBA and the G League. In the G League, Bassey was dominant, averaging 20 points, 12 rebounds, and 2 blocks per game, with a rim-finishing efficiency above 64%, making him a classic pick-and-roll finisher.

In the first half of 2026, Bassey joined the Warriors' G League affiliate, the Santa Cruz Warriors, on a 10-day hardship contract. Through solid pick-and-roll rim running, offensive rebounding, and shot-blocking, he secured a rotation role. In a game against the Kings, he posted a double-double of 14 points and 12 rebounds, earning public praise from Stephen Curry.

On the technical side, Bassey boasts impressive wingspan and a field-goal percentage above 65% around the rim. He sets solid screens, excels at second-chance opportunities, and delivers nearly one block per 11 minutes—perfectly fitting the Warriors' pick-and-roll system. His weaknesses include slow lateral movement and inconsistent outside shooting, making it difficult for him to switch onto smaller guards. As an energetic backup big man who doesn't need the ball, he can ease the regular-season frontcourt rotation burden and fill the Warriors' rebounding and rim-protection gaps—a cost-effective interior reinforcement.