The Golden State Warriors found themselves, again, needing to shop in the bargain bin of free agency to fill out their roster.
But given what he had available to him financially, Mike Dunleavy Jr. did an excellent job granting the team flexibility heading into 2026-27. Not only is third-string center Charles Bassey on a partially-guaranteed deal, but there's a competition brewing between Brandon Williams, Dalen Terry, and (to a lesser extent) Georges Niang for the final two guaranteed roster spots. They also have some moves they can make with their two-way contract spots, as both Lajae Jones and Graham Ike remain unsigned.
In a sense, Williams and Terry are the only immediate losers in this scenario. Rather than having their spot cut out for them even on veteran minimums, they'll need to play their way onto the roster in training camp.
But even as this rotation gets deeper late in the offseason, Bassey still has a path toward major minutes behind Al Horford and Kristaps Porzingis— and the Warriors' decision not to sign another big man makes him the big winner of their recent flurry of moves.
Charles Bassey still has a major role to play for the Warriors in 2026-27
There's a reason only $1.4 million of Bassey's one-year, $2.8 million deal is guaranteed. He only played five games last season with Golden State, and he doesn't really have an extented stretch of NBA-caliber play on his résumé at any point in his career.
But during those five games, he provided a depleted Warriors rotation with a much-needed boost of energy, averaging 10.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, and one assist while shoot 67.7% from the field.
On a night-to-night basis, Bassey's role will likely be limited. Porzingis and Horford will be able to take over most of the minutes at the center position, and the Warriors are more likely to bring Niang off the bench if they need an additional dose of size and spacing in the frontcourt.
But even thinking optimistically, both Horford and Porzingis will need to miss at least 15 games apiece this season. Porzingis is still managing chronic illness and other health issues, and Horford's availability has naturally declined with age. If either player is out, Bassey is the first man up to take on a major rotational role.
Combine that with the fact that, with their final moves, the Warriors did not add a true big man. Niang will play the three or the four during his time on the court, but at 6'6", he doesn't have the size to take over anything other than small-ball minutes at center. Kelly Olynyk was floated as an option for Golden State as well late this offseason, but assuming a deal with the San Antonio Spurs hasn't already been wrapped up, they showed a measure of faith in Bassey by going with Niang instead.
As it stands, Bassey is still likely the 11th or 12th man in the Warriors' rotation with both Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody unavailable. But the Warriors have kept his path toward outperforming his contract clear even as they've filled out their roster.
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