The off-season hasn’t been kind to the Philadelphia 76ers, who have experienced setback after setback. First is the looming specter of superstar Joel Embiid. He could very well miss the start of next season and may miss much more than that with his surgically repaired knee not fully healed.
Then there was Paul George, who also won’t be ready for next season after suffering a knee injury during the summer. They also lost top free agent Guerschon Yabusele to the New York Knicks. Not only that, but they are still waiting for the other shoe to drop with Quentin Grimes and his restricted free agency.
All of those setbacks have led to questions about whether they should have looked to reunite with a former Sixer. Free agent big man Charles Bassey started his career with the Sixers before being waived and signing with the San Antonio Spurs.
He suffered several serious injuries with the Spurs. But when he was healthy, he proved to be a highly effective player who could block, rebound, and score effectively in the pick and roll.
Nevertheless, he went unsigned this summer even though he put up strong numbers playing for the Boston Celtics’ summer league team. Now, he may instead end up going overseas to play basketball rather than playing in the NBA.
The Philadelphia 76ers should bring back Charles Bassey
The Sixers could use a cheap big man in case Embiid isn’t ready for the start of next season. In fact, their center depth chart is questionable at best beyond Embiid and Andre Drummond.
That makes that last remaining roster spot left—assuming they bring back Grimes—all the more important. That could open the door for Bassey, were he to garner interest from the Sixers ahead of training camp.
More likely, however, much like with many playoff teams—not that the Sixers were one last season with all of their injuries—they will leave that spot open. That means Bassey likely won’t be rejoining the Sixers, which seems like a big mistake.
The Sixers may regret not bringing back Charles Bassey
Look, at this point in the offseason, Philly isn’t going to sign a great player, but Bassey still has plenty of untapped potential and fills a valuable role as an athletic big man who can defend the rim and finish at the basket.
Maybe I’m missing something, but it’s head-scratching why he is still available in free agency after being passed over by the Celtics. They have arguably the worst center rotation heading into next season.
The Sixers aren’t in the same boat, but given Embiid’s health and the defection of Yabusele to the Knicks, it would take much for their center rotation to be a trainwreck. In that event, they’ll regret not bringing back Bassey.
