Despite not receiving all that much playing time last season, Yuki Kawamura quickly became a fan favorite. Spending the year on a two-way contract with the Memphis Grizzlies, the 5-foot-8 point guard was the shortest player in the NBA in 2024-25. Kawamura was an excellent underdog story that fans found easy to root for. He just finished playing in the summer league with the Chicago Bulls. Ending on a high note, now it remains to be seen if the Bulls will offer Yuki Kawamura a contract.
Diminutive Fan Favorite Shines In Bulls Summer League Finale
Yuki Kawamura Shows Out In Bulls Last Summer League Game
On Friday, the Bulls defeated the Utah Jazz by the score of 105-92, finishing with a record of 3-2 in summer league action. While they were led by Javon Freeman-Liberty’s 22 points, it was Kawamura coming off the bench who was the star of the game.
In 27 minutes of action, the 24-year-old finished with 20 points, four rebounds, 10 assists, and two steals. He was dialing it up from distance as he connected on six of his nine attempts from beyond the arc. The team was a +16 with him on the court, and he made some wonderful passes that had the crowd in a frenzy.
Altogether in his five summer league contests, Kawamura posted averages of 9.6 points, 2.4 rebounds, 6.6 assists, and 2.2 steals in 23.9 minutes. The diminutive guard shot 40.5% from the field, 39.1% from three-point territory, and 81.8% from the foul line.
Did Kawamura show enough for the Bulls (or one of the other 29 teams) to offer him a contract?
Not Much Roster Space In Chicago
The Bulls currently have 14 players on standard deals. That is one below the maximum, but not all teams utilize all 15, sometimes leaving a slot open. All three of their two-way slots are filled as well. They are occupied by Emanuel Miller, Lachlan Olbrich, and Jahmir Young.
Now while Chicago has a spot open on their standard roster, most assume that will soon be filled. That is because Josh Giddey, a restricted free agent, remains unsigned. It is expected that Giddey and the Bulls eventually do come to some type of agreement, especially with how Giddey played to end last season.
That makes it difficult to see a way for Kawamura to make the roster, but certainly it is not impossible. Now, the Bulls can release one of their players on a two-way, and instead have Kawamura as a two-way player. They may decide to sign him to an Exhibit 10 contract, play him in preseason, and even if he is waived, Kawamura can join their G League affiliate.
Last season, Kawamura appeared in 31 games in the G League and 22 with the Grizzlies. Playing just 4.2 minutes per contest with Memphis, he averaged 1.6 points and 0.9 assists. Kawamura’s season-high of 12 points came in the regular season finale against the Dallas Mavericks.
Photo credit: © Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
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