The Golden State Warriors haven't had the offseason many expected, and one of their under-the-radar moves illustrates why. The Warriors chose to re-sign 26-year-old big man Charles Bassey this summer after playing six games with the team last season.
Bassey showed significant promise during his time with the San Antonio Spurs and even backed up Victor Wembanyama at one point. San Antonio was clearly impressed with him and even signed him to a four-year contract after he was waived by the Philadelphia 76ers.
Unfortunately for him, he struggled with injuries, fracturing his patella tendon in the 2022-23 season and tearing his Achilles in the 2023-24 season. Those two devastating injuries just six months apart resulted in San Antonio not bringing him back.
He later bounced around, signing with the Memphis Grizzlies and Boston Celtics, and returned to the Sixers before signing with the Warriors
The Warriors signing Charles Bassey is a gamble
The reason why it's a gamble for Golden State to re-sign him—even though he is only on a $2.8 million minimum contract—is his extensive injury history. Yes, he will be backing up Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford.
But given the former's injury history and the latter's age, Bassey might have to play a larger than expected role. Golden State hasn't done much to solve their biggest flaws from last season, which were age and injuries.
Adding Bassey might make them younger, but it doesn't make them more durable. He impressed in San Antonio with his shot blocking, rebounding, and finishing at the rim, but his lack of availability forced them to move on. That should concern Warrior's fans.
Charles Bassey is a gamble, but a worthwhile one for the Warriors
That being said, when healthy—which isn't often—he is a productive backup big man. He is athletic and can swat shots at the rim and finish dump-off passes and lobs.
He has even flashed potential as a stretch five by taking threes while playing in Santa Clara for the Warriors' G League affiliate. I'll believe it when I see him do it in the NBA, but he still holds value as a potential low-cost role player.
He just comes with an extensive injury history that scared off other teams, including the Spurs. If he pans out, then he can give their center rotation a much-needed boost.
Yet without any major moves this summer, the Warriors project to be one of the worst teams in the Western Conference. Hopefully, Bassey will have a resurgence with the Warriors and prove to be a bright spot in what could be a potentially dismal season. He's just a gamble with injury concerns.
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