Yuki Kawamura's blood clot sidelined him for months after being waived. Now cleared of the injury, he resigns and returns to play with the Chicago Bulls.
The Chicago Bulls head coach Billy Donovan elaborated that the medical condition that sidelined the Bulls' new two-way signee, Yuki Kawamura, during the preseason was a blood clot in his lower right leg, according to CHSN's K.C. Johnson on Wednesday.
Kawamura suffered the injury after appearing in the first two preseason games with the Bulls, averaging 3.0 points and 4.5 assists in 10.8 minutes. Despite being waived before the season tipoff, the 5-foot-8 guard stayed in Chicago to rehabilitate and was re-signed to a two-way contract as soon as he was medically cleared. The Bulls signed Kawamura on Tuesday to fill the two-way void after waiving Trentyn Flowers before the Jan.7 NBA Contract Guarantee Deadline.
Donovan said Kawamura was able to do basketball activities on the court but was prohibited from contact during his recovery.
"I'm happy for him," Donovan said. "He's worked hard."
Kawamura originally joined the Bulls before the 2025-26 season after spending the previous year with the Memphis Grizzlies on a two-way contract. The Japanese International became a fan favorite in Memphis for his elite passing and ball-handling. During the 2024-25 G League season with the Memphis Hustles, he averaged 12.4 points and 7.8 assists, shooting 41% from deep. He also appeared in 22 NBA games with the Grizzlies, averaging 1.6 points and 0.9 assists in 4.2 minutes in those limited minutes.
After his Memphis stint, Kawamura joined the Bulls' summer-league roster and played with Matas Buzelis, averaging 10.2 points, 6.2 assists, 2.4 rebounds and 2.2 steals in 23.9 minutes. The Bulls then converted his summer-league deal into a two-way contract.
The blood clot diagnosis sidelined Kawamura for the rest three preseason games, forcing the Bulls to waive him in October. Now cleared and re-signed, Kawamura joins Emanuel Miller and Lachlan Olbrich as Chicago's three two-way players.
With over two months remaining until the G League season finale, Kawamura is set to play a vital role with the Windy City Bulls, while potentially getting NBA recalls that could strengthen the Bulls' backcourt depth. It's uncertain whether he will see immediate NBA minutes or mostly play with the Windy City Bulls, but his return draws welcomes from the team and its fan base.