Any hints on fixing a dishwasher cutlery basket?

Not sure I can visualize where ypur basket defect is?

Could you place an insert bottom liner of plastic ( needlepoint mesh unless you have a hot heat element nearby)or wire mesh in the basket bottom?

Maybe try patching with epoxy putty stick. I recommended it to my son who used it to patch his dishrack wire tine rust and damage and its holding up thru the water and heat of wash cycles.

This putty stick is my all time favorite repair crafting item to have on hand. Its less than six dollars at your local Lowe's hardware store in the plumbing department.

Putty characteristics

Steel-filled material, mixes in your hand and hardens in minutes

Suitable for plastics, metals, fiberglass, concrete and ceramics

May be drilled, tapped, filed, sanded, sealed and painted when hardened

Non-toxic material contains no solvents

Will not shrink

https://www.oatey.com/2373255/Product/Oatey-Fix-It-Stick-Epoxy-Putty

I would lay a screen in the bottom or webbed plastic of some sort that comes as plastic netting in several ways like in rolls at the home improvement store. You can usually buy by the foot or yard. Hope this helps. See photo

I used zip ties. Fasten between 2 unbroken squares, across the break.

the mfg of my dishwasher replaced mine for free I took photos and sent to them and my model number etc and they also sell them