An old friend will reportedly make his return to the Sixers.
Charles Bassey, who spent his rookie season in Philly, will return to the team on a 10-day deal, per ESPN’s Shams Charania.
The big man was originally selected by the Sixers out of Western Kentucky in the second round (53rd overall) of the 2021 NBA Draft. Born in Nigeria, Bassey was considered a big time prospect entering the college ranks, but knee injuries turned him from a possible lottery pick to a second-rounder.
He’s unfortunately dealt with knee issues at the NBA level as well. While spending the last three seasons with the San Antonio Spurs, Bassey suffered a fractured left patella and a torn ACL in the same leg. The 25-year-old spent time with the Boston Celtics in the NBA Summer League and was with the Atlanta Hawks in camp on an Exhibit 10 deal. He was later waived and then signed a 10-day hardship contract with the Memphis Grizzlies.
After that 10-day expired, he signed with the Texas Legends, the G League affiliate of the Dallas Mavericks, who subsequently traded Bassey — funny enough — to the Delaware Blue Coats. The Blue Coats then traded him to the Santa Cruz Warriors, where Bassey is currently playing.
Bassey has an intriguing skillset. He has great size, length, strength and is still a great athlete. He’s been a strong rebounder and rim protector in his limited NBA time, two things the Sixers could surely use more of in their frontcourt.
But it’s worth noting the biggest thing this trade does — it allows the team to keep using two-way players Dominick Barlow and Jabari Walker. When a team leaves its 15th roster spot open, they’re only allowed 80 total two-way games for all of their two-way players. Barlow and Walker (along with seven games from former Sixer Hunter Sallis) hit that number in Saturday’s loss to the New York Knicks. Bassey’s signing buys them more time.
Who knows how much Bassey plays right now, but if the team moves Andre Drummond at the deadline, he wouldn’t be the worst player to have in the fold.
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