The Golden State Warriors keep finding ways to protect their options, and their latest move with Charles Bassey fits that pattern perfectly.
Bassey signed a one-year, $2.85 million deal with Golden State last week after Quinten Post left for the Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday. The 25-year-old had already made a strong enough impression in a short run with the team, appearing in five games to close last season, and the Warriors clearly saw enough to bring him back.
What makes the signing more interesting now is the money behind it. HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto reported on Monday that only $1.4 million of Bassey’s contract is guaranteed, giving Golden State a cleaner escape hatch if the roster needs to be reshuffled later on.
The Golden State Warriors signed Charles Bassey to a one-year, $2.85 million deal, which is partially guaranteed for $1.4 million, league sources told @hoopshype. Bassey helps fill the void of Quinten Post, who recently signed with the Grizzlies. ESPN first reported an agreement.
- Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) July 13, 2026
That kind of structure matters because Bassey could end up as the player most exposed if the Warriors need to open a roster spot later this summer or during the season. If a buyout target becomes available and Golden State wants to jump in with a full 15-man roster, Bassey can be waived with a $1.4 million cap hit instead of the full $2.45 million hit that would come with a fully guaranteed deal.
That doesn’t mean the Warriors are already eyeing a move like that. Bassey could still matter quite a bit next season, especially with the injury and health questions hanging over veteran big men Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford.
Still, the point is clear: Golden State is building in flexibility wherever it can.
Bassey’s deal also lines up with the way the Warriors handled Porzingis. They brought him back on a two-year, $40 million extension, but only $3 million of the second season is guaranteed. Because it’s an extension rather than a fresh free-agent contract, Golden State can trade him at any point, instead of being stuck waiting until December 15.
That’s been the Warriors’ approach more broadly in recent years - preserve optionality, keep the books movable, and hold onto future draft assets. The frustration for fans is that all that flexibility hasn’t always turned into the kind of win-now move that puts Stephen Curry first.
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