The Chicago Bulls have signed Yuki Kawamura to a two-way contract and released Trentyn Flowers in a swap of two end-of-bench guards.
The diminutive Kawamura was a popular figure in the Windy City during his brief time with the franchise. He spent this past Summer League with the organization and also made an impression during the preseason.
He'll get another chance to catch on with the Bulls as Flowers, who was recently in the news for (probably) unrelated matters, moves on.
Chicago Bulls sign Yuki Kawamura to two-way contract
At 5-foot-8, Kawamura held the title of shortest NBA player during the 2024-25 season. He has one season of NBA experience under his belt, appearing in 22 games for the Memphis Grizzlies last year with averages of 1.6 points, 0.5 rebounds and 0.9 assists in 4.2 minutes per game.
He sure made an impact for the Bulls during the offseason, though. Across five Summer League games in Las Vegas, he averaged 10.2 points, 6.2 assists, 2.4 rebounds and 2.2 steals while playing 24 minutes per contest. He shot 42.0 percent from the field and 41.7 percent from three.
Kawamura scored 20 points, dished out 10 assists and grabbed two steals in Chicago's final Summer League game, a win over the Utah Jazz. That came on the heels of a 15-point, 10-assist, three-steal performance in a win over the Indiana Pacers.
Matas Buzelis was the main attraction for Bulls fans in Sin City in July. Noa Essengue, the No. 12 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, was also present. But Kawamura stole the show. His court vision, pinpoint passing, hustle and defensive instincts were on full display.
"He’s (Yuki) picking up full court, doing everything on the court; he’s the definition of heart over height," Buzelis told NBA.com's Sam Smith in July. "He plays so hard. To be on the floor with him means a lot; he’s an amazing player, amazing human."
Kawamura played two preseason games for the Bulls, averaging 3.0 points, 4.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists in 10.8 minutes a night. He was released later in the preseason after an "unresolved medical condition" stemming from a lower leg injury.
Flowers appeared in two games this season and averaged 2.0 points in 3.0 minutes. He also played three regular-season games with the team's G League affiliate, the Windy City Bulls, and averaged 8.7 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.7 assists.