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Brad Stevens, president of basketball operations for the Boston Celtics, answers a question during a press conference at Boston Celtics media day at the Auerbach Center on September 29, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts.
The Boston Celtics finalized a necessary roster move ahead of Wednesday’s matchup with the Oklahoma City Thunder, re-signing center Charles Bassey to a second 10-day contract to maintain roster compliance and frontcourt depth.
Boston’s decision comes as the team navigates both league roster requirements and late-season flexibility, with Bassey continuing to serve as an emergency option off the bench.
Celtics Required to Make Move to Meet NBA Roster Minimum
According to Adam Himmelsbach of The Boston Globe, Bassey agreed to a second 10-day contract on Wednesday after his initial deal expired.
The move was not optional. As cap analyst Keith Smith noted before the signing, Boston had dropped to 13 players on standard contracts — below the NBA’s required minimum of 14.
“The Boston Celtics will have to make a transaction today,” Smith wrote on X. “Boston could sign Bassey to a second 10-day deal, or they could make a rest-of-season signing.”
Following the move, Smith added that the Celtics are prioritizing flexibility as the regular season winds down.
“This gives the Celtics maximum flexibility with managing roster spots through the end of the regular season,” he wrote, noting that a full-season signing could come later depending on timing and salary cap considerations.
Mazzulla Highlights Continuity After Summer League Evaluation
GettyCharles Bassey re-signs with the Boston Celtics for a second 10-day contract.
Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla pointed to Bassey’s familiarity with the system as a key factor in the decision, referencing his prior work with the organization during Summer League.
“He was good for us in Summer League,” Mazzulla said. “Anytime you can continue to build relationships with the assistants and with our language — some of the things that carry over from Summer League to now — that continuity helps, especially in a short period of time.”
Mazzulla added that Bassey’s ability to quickly integrate into the system makes him a valuable depth piece at this stage of the season.
“The ability for him to potentially help us is huge,” Mazzulla said. “Having him on the roster for this time period will be good for us.”
Bassey Remains a Depth Option in Celtics Rotation
Bassey, 25, saw limited action during his first stint with Boston, appearing in two games and logging just four minutes of garbage time. With Neemias Queta and Luka Garza available in the frontcourt, Bassey is not expected to be a regular part of head coach Joe Mazzulla’s rotation.
Instead, his role remains situational, providing insurance in case of injury or foul trouble.
Still, Boston values having additional size available as it prepares for the postseason, particularly with Nikola Vucevic currently sidelined due to a finger injury.
Bassey’s Journey Through NBA and G League
Originally selected with the 53rd overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, Bassey has spent time with the Philadelphia 76ers and San Antonio Spurs, appearing in 113 career games from 2021 to 2025.
He has averaged 4.3 points and 4.3 rebounds in 11.1 minutes per contest at the NBA level, primarily in a reserve role.
This season, Bassey has bounced between NBA opportunities and the G League. He signed a hardship deal with the Memphis Grizzlies earlier in the year and also had short stints with Philadelphia before landing in Boston.
At the G League level, Bassey has been far more productive. Across 20 games with the Santa Cruz Warriors and Delaware Blue Coats, he averaged 20.5 points, 12.5 rebounds and 2.1 blocks in nearly 30 minutes per game, showcasing the interior presence that continues to draw NBA interest.
Contract Details and Salary Cap Implications
Bassey’s second 10-day contract will run through April 3 and carries a cap hit of approximately $131,970, keeping Boston just under the luxury tax threshold.
The Celtics now sit roughly $161,000 below the tax line, giving them limited but important flexibility as they plan additional moves before the end of the regular season.
Beginning April 4, a rest-of-season minimum contract for a 14th roster spot would count for less against the cap, potentially allowing Boston to add another player without crossing into the tax.
This financial positioning aligns with the team’s broader strategy of carefully managing payroll while maintaining depth for a postseason run.
What This Means Ahead of Thunder Matchup
Boston’s decision to retain Bassey ensures compliance with league rules while preserving roster flexibility ahead of a high-profile matchup with Oklahoma City.
While Bassey is unlikely to see significant minutes, his presence provides depth insurance as the Celtics balance health, performance and financial considerations.
With the playoffs approaching, Boston’s roster decisions — even short-term moves — are being made with long-term implications in mind.
Alder Almo is a sports journalist covering the NBA for Heavy.com. He has more than 20 years of experience in local and international media, including broadcast, print and digital. He previously covered the Knicks for Empire Sports Media and the NBA for Off the Glass. Alder is from the Philippines and is now based in Jersey City, New Jersey. More about Alder Almo
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