The Chicago Bulls have re-signed guard Yuki Kawamura to a two-way contract, the team announced Monday. The move comes after Kawamura was medically cleared following a 12-week recovery from a blood clot in his lower right leg.
In a corresponding roster move, Chicago waived forward Trentyn Flowers to create space for Kawamura's return.
Medical Clearance and Recovery
Kawamura, 24, was originally diagnosed with the blood clot in October and was waived by the Bulls at that time. Despite his release, the Japanese point guard remained in Chicago throughout his recovery, working with the Bulls medical staff.
Bulls head coach Billy Donovan confirmed the team always intended to re-sign Kawamura once he received medical clearance and returned to full health.
The recovery process required Kawamura to take blood-thinning medication, which prevented him from participating in any contact activities. Blood clots are a serious condition that typically require athletes to spend months away from competition while the medication helps the body naturally pass the coagulation.
Since receiving medical clearance from the league, Kawamura has been able to participate in practices with the Windy City Bulls in the G League.
Kawamura's Background
At 5-foot-8, Kawamura is the shortest player in the NBA. The guard spent last season with the Memphis Grizzlies, appearing in 22 games and averaging 1.6 points and 0.9 assists in 4.2 minutes per game.
Kawamura demonstrated his potential in the G League with the Memphis Hustle, where he averaged 12.7 points, 8.5 assists, 3.1 rebounds and 1.0 steal in 31 games while shooting .383/.365/.761.
Before joining the NBA, Kawamura was a star in Japan's B.League, where he earned MVP and Guard of the Year honors during the 2022-23 season. He posted career averages of 16.7 points, 3.0 rebounds and 7.3 assists across 167 games with San-en NeoPhoenix and Yokohama B-Corsairs.
Kawamura has been a member of the Japanese National Team since 2021-22 and competed in the 2024 Olympics in Paris, where he was the only player across all Olympic teams to average at least 20.0 points and 7.0 assists during the tournament.
Preseason Performance
Before his injury, Kawamura appeared in two preseason games for Chicago this season. He averaged 3.0 points, 4.0 assists and 4.0 rebounds in 10.8 minutes per game during those appearances.
The Bulls originally signed Kawamura to a two-way contract in July following a strong performance with Chicago's Summer League squad.
Timing and Roster Impact
Kawamura's return comes at an opportune time for the Bulls, who are dealing with a guard shortage. Josh Giddey has missed four consecutive games with a hamstring injury, while Coby White has been sidelined with a calf injury.
Backup guard Tre Jones has been starting in place of the injured guards, but the Bulls prefer to limit his workload to approximately 25 minutes per game. Ayo Dosunmu and Matas Buzelis have also taken on increased playmaking responsibilities, though that role is less natural for both wings.
As a pass-first point guard who takes the majority of his shots from behind the arc, Kawamura could provide a natural short-term solution for Chicago's backcourt needs.
Trentyn Flowers Waived
Flowers appeared in two games with the Bulls this season, averaging 2.0 points, 0.5 rebounds and 0.5 assists in 2.8 minutes per game. The forward also played in three G League regular season games and 11 Tip-Off Tournament games for the Windy City Bulls.
With Kawamura's addition, the Bulls now have three players on two-way contracts. Emanuel Miller and Lachlan Olbrich hold Chicago's other two two-way deals.
What's Next
Kawamura could make his season debut as soon as Wednesday when the Bulls face the Detroit Pistons, followed by a back-to-back matchup against the Miami Heat on Thursday.
Donovan acknowledged that Kawamura will need time to regain his rhythm after an extended period without live game action, but the coach indicated he's not opposed to using the guard if the team continues to deal with backcourt injuries.