Honestly, if you blinked over the last few months, you might have missed the wildest roster rollercoaster in recent NBA history. Everyone’s asking the same thing: where is Yuki Kawamura? The 5-foot-8 Japanese wizard became a global darling during the Paris Olympics, but his path through the league has been anything but a straight line.
As of right now, Yuki Kawamura is officially a member of the Chicago Bulls. Read more on a similar subject: this related article.
But wait. It’s a bit more complicated than just a name on a jersey. He’s technically on a two-way contract, which means he’s splitting his soul between the main NBA squad in Chicago and their G League affiliate, the Windy City Bulls.
The Comeback Nobody Expected
Just a few days ago, on January 6, 2026, the Bulls made it official. They signed him back after a really scary medical hiatus. If you remember, Yuki actually started the 2025-26 preseason in Chicago, but then he just... vanished. Further reporting by Bleacher Report highlights comparable views on this issue.
The team waived him in October. Fans were devastated. It turns out, he wasn't cut because he couldn't play; he was diagnosed with a blood clot in his right lower leg. That's serious business for any athlete, let alone a guy whose entire game relies on lightning-fast footwork.
He stayed in Chicago for three months. No games. No lights. Just grueling rehab and medical monitoring. Most guys would have packed it up and headed back to Japan's B.League, where he's already a legend. Not Yuki. He stuck it out, and the Bulls kept their word, re-signing him the second he was cleared by the docs.
Why the Memphis Grizzlies Are in the Rearview
You probably still associate him with the Memphis Grizzlies. That makes sense. That’s where he got his first real NBA cup of coffee during the 2024-25 season.
He played 22 games for Memphis last year. He didn’t put up massive numbers—averaging about 1.6 points—but he was a per-minute assist machine. When he wasn't with the big club, he was tearing it up for the Memphis Hustle (their G League team), where he dropped over 12 points and 8 assists a night.
Memphis decided not to give him a qualifying offer this past summer, making him an unrestricted free agent. Chicago scooped him up for the Summer League, and the rest is history.
The International Duty: Team Japan
Beyond the NBA, Yuki is the undisputed engine of the Japan Men’s National Basketball Team.
He’s basically a lock for any major FIBA window or tournament coming up in 2026. After that historic Olympic run where he was the only player in the entire tournament to average 20+ points and 7+ assists, he's the face of the sport back home. Even while he's fighting for minutes in the G League, he's the guy Japan builds their entire offensive system around.
Current Roster Breakdown (January 2026):
- NBA Team: Chicago Bulls (Two-Way Contract)
- G League Affiliate: Windy City Bulls
- National Team: Japan (Akatsuki Japan)
- Former Teams: Memphis Grizzlies, Memphis Hustle, Yokohama B-Corsairs (Japan B.League)
What’s the Move for Kawamura Now?
Look, being the shortest player in the NBA (173 cm) is a massive uphill battle. People always point to his defense as a liability, but his "sticky hands" and ability to disrupt passing lanes are underrated.
Right now, the Bulls are thin at guard. Josh Giddey has been dealing with a lingering hamstring issue, and Coby White has been carrying a massive load. This is Yuki’s window. He’s likely going to see a lot of floor time in Hoffman Estates with the Windy City Bulls to get his game legs back under him after the blood clot scare.
If you want to follow his progress, keep a close eye on the Windy City Bulls' schedule for the rest of January. That’s where he’ll be proving he’s 100% healthy. If he plays like he did in the Olympics, don't be surprised if Billy Donovan calls him up to the United Center sooner rather than later.
The best way to stay updated is to check the official NBA G League transaction wire or Yuki's Instagram, where he’s been surprisingly transparent about his rehab journey.
