The Philadelphia 76ers are bringing back a familiar face - center Charles Bassey is set to sign a second 10-day contract with the team on Thursday, according to a source.
Bassey, originally drafted by the Sixers in the second round back in 2021, recently wrapped up a 10-day stint with the team. That deal expired following Tuesday night’s win over the Golden State Warriors.
But despite being on the roster for six games, Bassey didn’t log any minutes during that stretch. So why bring him back?
This move is less about Bassey’s immediate on-court impact and more about the Sixers playing a bit of roster chess. The team has been managing its two-way player usage - specifically with Jabari Walker and Dominick Barlow - and Bassey’s presence helps them stay within the league’s rules.
Here’s how it works: NBA teams are allowed to have two-way players - guys who split time between the NBA and G League - but there’s a cap on how many days those players can spend with the NBA squad if the team doesn’t have a full 15-man standard roster. The Sixers had been operating with an open roster spot, which meant they hit their 90-day limit for two-way player usage under that setup.
Walker’s two-way eligibility ran out on Tuesday, but Barlow still has 10 games left under his deal. The only way the Sixers can continue to use Barlow without violating league rules is by temporarily filling that 15th roster spot. Enter Bassey.
So while Bassey hasn’t seen the floor yet, his signing is a strategic move that keeps the Sixers flexible - especially with Barlow still in the mix and potentially needed for depth as the season grinds on. And even if Bassey’s role remains behind the scenes, the Sixers clearly value keeping him in the fold, whether that’s at the NBA level or down in the G League.
It’s a savvy bit of roster management by Philly. They’re not just thinking about the next game - they’re playing the long game, making sure they’ve got options as the playoff push heats up.