The Bulls have signed guard Yuki Kawamura to a two-way contract, according to a team press release. In a corresponding move, Chicago has waived Trentyn Flowers.
The Bulls essentially flipped their script from October when they waived Kawamura to sign Flowers to a two-way deal. Kawamura was released due to a medical condition, as he experienced right lower leg pain after appearing in two preseason games.
Kawamura stayed in Chicago rehabbing and told K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Sports Network at a recent game: “I’ll be back soon.” (Twitter link)
The 5’8” Kawamura was a star in Japan before signing an Exhibit 10 deal with Memphis last fall. He was promoted to a two-way contract just before ’24/25 began and spent his rookie season with the Grizzlies, playing a modest role in 22 games (4.2 MPG).
The 24-year-old received extended run with the Memphis Hustle, averaging 12.7 PPG, 8.5 APG, 3.1 RPG and 1.0 SPG on .383/.365/.761 shooting in 31 games (31.6 MPG). The Grizzlies didn’t give him a QO though, and he was an UFA for a few weeks prior to impressing with the Bulls’ Summer League team, earning himself a two-way deal.
Kawamura has been a member of the Japanese National Team since 2021/22.
Flowers played in two games with the Bulls, averaging 2.0 points, 0.5 rebounds and 0.5 assists in 2.8 minutes per game. Flowers also suited up in three G League regular season games for their G League affiliate, the Windy City Bulls, and averaged 8.7 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.7 assists in 27.7 minutes. Prior to the start of the G League regular season, Flowers played in 11 games with Windy City during the G League Tip-Off Tournament (13.0 ppg, 6.8 rebounds and 1.1 blocks).
Emanuel Miller and Lachlan Olbrich holds the Bulls’ two other two-way deals.