Moses Moody of the Golden State Warriors lays on the court after being inured during overtime of the game against the Dallas Mavericks
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Moses Moody of the Golden State Warriors lays on the court after being inured during overtime of the game against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center on March 23, 2026 in Dallas, Texas.
The Golden State Warriors continue to shuffle their roster amid mounting injury concerns, bringing back center Ömer Yurtseven on a second 10-day contract following his initial stint with the team.
The move comes as Golden State deals with injuries across its frontcourt and perimeter, including the absence of guard Moses Moody, forcing the team to prioritize depth and size late in the regular season.
Warriors Turn to Yurtseven for Frontcourt Depth
Omer Yurtseven of the Golden State Warriors drives to the basket against Mouhamed Gueye of the Atlanta Hawks.
GettyOmer Yurtseven of the Golden State Warriors drives to the basket against Mouhamed Gueye of the Atlanta Hawks.
According to Anthony Slater, the Warriors opted to retain Yurtseven after evaluating his impact during his first 10-day deal.
“The Warriors are signing center Ömer Yurtseven to a second 10-day contract,” Slater reported. “He played 56 minutes off the bench for them on his first 10-day contract in a depleted frontcourt. Al Horford remains out with a calf strain.”
Yurtseven, 27, appeared in five games during his initial stint, averaging 3.2 points and 3.2 rebounds in 11.2 minutes per contest. While his role has fluctuated, his presence has provided much-needed size for a Warriors team navigating multiple injuries.
He went unused in Monday’s 137-131 overtime win over the Dallas Mavericks, as the return of Kristaps Porzingis from a one-game absence impacted the rotation. Still, Golden State’s decision to re-sign him underscores the team’s ongoing need for frontcourt reinforcements.
Injuries Continue to Impact Warriors’ Rotation
Golden State’s frontcourt has been hit particularly hard, with Al Horford sidelined due to a calf strain and Quinten Post also dealing with a foot injury.
Those absences have created opportunities for depth players like Yurtseven to step into larger roles, even as the Warriors juggle lineup combinations to stay competitive in a tightly contested Western Conference race.
The situation has been further complicated by Moody’s injury, thinning the team’s rotation on the wing and adding pressure on both ends of the floor.
Adjusting to NBA Style After European Stint
Yurtseven’s return to the NBA comes after spending part of the 2025–26 season overseas with Panathinaikos Aktor Athens, where he played 19 EuroLeague games and averaged 6.3 points and 3.5 rebounds.
He later returned to the United States, joined the G League, and earned his opportunity with Golden State.
Following his Warriors debut, Yurtseven noted the differences between European basketball and the NBA.
“In Europe, it’s much more chaotic,” Yurtseven said, via Eurohoops. “They will just shrink, be able to recover it back, because the three-point line is closer, because there is no three-second rule in defense. Those kinds of things affect everything.”
The adjustment has been evident, as the NBA’s spacing and pace present a different challenge for big men transitioning from international play.
Warriors Evaluating Depth Options Moving Forward
Despite limited production, Yurtseven has impressed internally during his brief stint.
“I’m a fan of Omer — he’s a very good player, very talented,” Kerr previously said. “He’s a good passer, he can shoot, and he’s had success in the NBA. We’ve only had him for a few days, but I enjoy watching him every day and seeing how he fits with the other guys.”
With Horford still sidelined and uncertainty surrounding the team’s frontcourt health, Golden State appears committed to maintaining flexibility with its roster as it navigates the final stretch of the season.
Yurtseven’s second 10-day contract provides the Warriors with a short-term solution, while also giving the organization more time to evaluate whether he can contribute beyond a temporary role.
What This Means for Golden State
As injuries continue to test the Warriors’ depth, roster moves like this highlight the team’s urgency to remain competitive.
Golden State has relied heavily on its core throughout the season, but recent absences have exposed the need for reliable depth pieces capable of stepping in when called upon.
For Yurtseven, the opportunity represents another chance to establish himself in the NBA after bouncing between leagues. For the Warriors, it’s a calculated move aimed at stabilizing a rotation that has been anything but consistent in recent weeks.
With playoff positioning on the line, every roster decision — including short-term signings — could carry significant weight for Golden State’s postseason outlook.