#nbatrainingcamp

The Atlanta Hawks have added veteran center Charles Bassey to their roster on a non-guaranteed Exhibit 10 training camp contract, sources report. Bassey, who spent last season with the San Antonio Spurs, is now in the mix to compete for a depth role at center as the Hawks build out their roster ahead of the 2025-26 NBA season.

Who Is Charles Bassey & What He Brings

Charles Bassey is a 6-foot-10 center with four years of NBA experience. Last season with the Spurs, he appeared in 36 games, averaging about 4.4 points and 4.2 rebounds in just over ten minutes per game. Across his whole NBA career, he’s had similar per-game stats—modest, but enough to warrant look-ins from teams needing size, interior presence, and energy off the bench.

Bassey was drafted in 2021 by the Philadelphia 76ers and then spent several seasons in San Antonio. Despite some injury setbacks to other parts of his career, he showed flashes of promise, especially in the G League, where he often put up stronger numbers and displayed rim protection, rebounding toughness, and finishing ability in close quarters.

What an Exhibit 10 Deal Means

An Exhibit 10 contract is essentially a training camp invitation. It gives a player a spot to compete, to display all he can in practices and preseason games, but it’s non-guaranteed—meaning the team can cut the player before the regular season without being on the hook for full salary. Frequently, these contracts are structured so that if the player doesn’t make the NBA roster, he can be waived and then play for the team’s G League affiliate with bonuses.

For Bassey, that could mean trying to earn a place with the Hawks, or if he’s waived, likely moving to their G League affiliate (the College Park Skyhawks). For Atlanta, it gives flexibility: they can evaluate whether Bassey adds enough value to keep on the main roster or instead use him to boost the G League depth while preserving roster spots and salary space.

Hawks’ Frontcourt Situation & Why This Move Makes Sense

Atlanta already has some key players in the frontcourt: Kristaps Porziņģis, Onyeka Okongwu, and others. But there are questions: Porziņģis has struggled with injuries in recent seasons, Okongwu tends to excel more as a mobile, defensive five but lacks bulk, and there’s always value in having a backup who can rebound, protect the rim, and provide physicality in heavy minutes.

Bassey’s experience gives him a small edge over younger, less proven bigs in training camp. He’s been in NBA rotations, understands the demands, and offers physical traits that can help when starters rest, when foul trouble hits, or when games require more size. If he can show consistency and readiness, he could push for the third-center spot or become a valuable bench piece.

The Roster Competition Heating Up

Signing Bassey adds more pressure to what’s already a crowded frontcourt battle. There are players like N’Faly Dante, Caleb Houstan, and others also signed to training camp or similar contracts who will be competing for limited spots. Players in this tier are often battling to prove their offensive polish, defensive readiness, ability to stay in shape, and mental toughness to contribute in limited minutes.

For the Hawks, determining the final 15-man roster means evaluating not only talent, but fit, durability, versatility, and who can contribute on both ends. Someone will end up cut, waived, or sent to the G League. Bassey enters that challenge with some experience advantage, but he’ll need to stand out among peers and show that he deserves a place.

What to Watch During Camp & Preseason

How Bassey performs in drills, defense, rebounding, pick-and-rolls, and physical possessions.

Whether he seizes any opportunity in preseason games to show hustle, energy, and those “dirty work” plays (rebounds, boxing out, second efforts).

How he stacks up against other bigs on the Hawks’ roster, especially in terms of health, consistency, and readiness.

If Atlanta ends up keeping him on the NBA roster or instead leveraging his Exhibit 10 deal to funnel him into the Skyhawks to keep him in their system.

The Hawks’ decision to bring in Charles Bassey on this kind of deal underscores the constant balancing act NBA teams face: wanting to build depth, preserve cap and roster flexibility, while also giving pitchers like Bassey a shot to prove they belong. For him, it’s a chance to reboot, show improvement, and solidify his place in the league. Whether he sticks with the Hawks or finds a home via G League, training camp will be his stage to make the case.