Grizzlies Expected to Sign Center Charles Bassey Under Hardship Exception Amid Injury Woes

The Memphis Grizzlies, already battling a string of injuries early in the season, are turning to reinforcements. According to ESPN sources, the team plans to sign free-agent center Charles Bassey to a 10-day contract under the league’s hardship exception. The move will help stabilize Memphis’ frontcourt rotation as multiple players remain out for extended periods.

The Grizzlies currently have Ty Jerome, Scotty Pippen Jr., Brandon Clarke, and rookie Zach Edey sidelined — a combination that has depleted the team’s depth and forced creative roster management. The hardship exception allows teams that have at least four players unavailable for at least three games to temporarily exceed the 15-man roster limit.

Bassey’s signing is expected to be finalized early this week, pending league approval. The 24-year-old center, who turns 25 on Tuesday, brings size, energy, and rim protection — all areas Memphis has lacked since injuries began to mount.

His addition won’t necessarily alter the Grizzlies’ long-term plans, but it does provide much-needed insurance during a challenging stretch of their schedule.

1. Bassey’s Journey Through the League

Bassey’s NBA career has been one of steady development and resilience. A second-round pick in the 2021 draft out of Western Kentucky, he began his professional career with the Philadelphia 76ers before spending the past three seasons with the San Antonio Spurs. In limited minutes, he showed flashes of interior impact as a rebounder and shot-blocker. Known for his defensive instincts and athletic frame, Bassey has carved out a niche as an energy big capable of protecting the rim and finishing around the basket. Though injuries have slowed his progress at times, his efficiency and activity level have continued to draw attention from teams seeking frontcourt depth. Most recently, Bassey participated in training camp with the Atlanta Hawks, where he delivered an impressive preseason showing — averaging 4.5 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks per game. Those performances reaffirmed his readiness for an NBA opportunity, even if only in a short-term capacity. For Memphis, Bassey represents both a short-term fix and a potential long-term evaluation piece — a low-risk signing with upside if he fits the team’s defensive system.

2. Grizzlies’ Frontcourt Challenges

The Grizzlies have faced considerable adversity early this season, particularly in the frontcourt. Brandon Clarke continues his recovery from a torn Achilles tendon, while rookie Zach Edey, the 2024 first-round pick, remains sidelined with a knee issue. Combined with absences from guards Ty Jerome and Scotty Pippen Jr., Memphis has struggled to maintain lineup stability. Head coach Taylor Jenkins has been forced to rely on smaller rotations, leaning heavily on Jaren Jackson Jr. and Xavier Tillman to anchor the paint. That workload has tested the team’s defensive identity and exposed its lack of depth in rebounding and rim protection. Bassey’s physicality and shot-blocking ability could help ease that burden. Standing at 6-foot-11 with a 7-foot-3 wingspan, he brings the kind of interior presence Memphis needs to reestablish its defensive rhythm. Jenkins and his staff are expected to integrate him quickly once the deal becomes official. While the signing won’t completely solve Memphis’ personnel challenges, it represents a necessary adjustment for a team trying to stay competitive in the Western Conference despite early injuries.

3. Opportunity and Uncertainty

For Bassey, the 10-day contract is both a chance and a test — an opportunity to prove he belongs in a rotation again. If he can replicate his preseason form, the Grizzlies could consider extending his stay beyond the hardship period. His rim protection, rebounding instincts, and energy align with Memphis’ physical playing style, making him an ideal short-term fit. For Memphis, the move underscores the unpredictability of the early season. Injuries have forced the team to experiment with lineups and roles, and the front office has responded with pragmatism — turning to experienced, defensive-minded players like Bassey to stabilize its roster. The Grizzlies have weathered adversity before, and this signing is another example of the franchise’s flexibility and focus on resilience. As injured players begin to return, the organization will reassess its roster needs, but for now, Bassey offers timely support. His signing may not grab headlines, but in a season where depth and durability have already become defining factors, it could prove quietly important.