The Chicago Bulls have made few headline-grabbing moves this offseason, with no major free agent signings and only a trade swapping Lonzo Ball for Isaac Okoro with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Despite this quiet stretch, one unexpected addition has caught fans’ attention: Yuki Kawamura, whose growing Yuki Kawamura Chicago Bulls impact is gaining intrigue after earning a two-way contract following an impressive NBA Summer League showing.
Kawamura, a 5-foot-7 point guard known for his flashy passing and offensive creativity, stood out during Summer League play, securing a contract that keeps him with the Bulls as the team looks to build depth. He posted an impressive stat line in his final Summer League game, scoring 20 points, dishing out 10 assists, grabbing 4 rebounds, shooting 6-of-9 from three-point range, and adding 2 steals. This performance shone as a highlight for the Bulls’ young summer roster and raised questions about his potential NBA minutes this season.
The Journey and Playing Style of Yuki Kawamura
Kawamura’s impact on the court belies his small stature, as he confidently takes on offensive roles without hesitation. While defense remains an area for improvement, his range from deep and elite court vision make him a unique offensive asset. Japanese by origin, Kawamura is now entering his second consecutive season with a two-way contract after spending 2024-25 with the Memphis Grizzlies. There, he quickly became a fan-favorite thanks in part to his engaging relationship with star guard Ja Morant, providing both excitement and energy whenever he stepped onto the floor.
Finding Inspiration in a Bulls Icon
Beyond learning from Morant and the Grizzlies’ organization, Kawamura has embraced the legacy of a Chicago Bulls legend to shape his approach. Despite ongoing challenges with English, he has dedicated time to watching Michael Jordan documentaries as part of his language learning process, finding both motivation and practical support in these films.
“To be honest, I don’t watch too many TV shows,” Kawamura said. “I’m still learning English through my teammates and my teacher, so I don’t watch much television. I do like MJ (Michael Jordan) documentaries, though. Something like that (helps in learning English and passing the time).” —Yuki Kawamura
Coaching Perspectives on Kawamura’s Influence
Billy Donovan III, head coach of the Bulls’ G League and Summer League teams, elaborated on how Kawamura affects team dynamics both on and off the court. Donovan humorously expressed a blend of admiration and frustration with Kawamura’s personality but emphasized the positive impact it creates within the squad. He explained that Kawamura’s playing style enables the team to speed up its pace, motivating teammates to run harder with confidence that Kawamura will find them with the ball.
“I want to strangle him sometimes,” Donovan III joked, “but that’s just who he is. It 100% affects the team (positively). (Kawamura’s style) also allows us to play faster. Everyone knows if they run ahead of the ball, Yuki is going to pass it to me. (Kawamura) really help our pace. When guys know they are going to get the ball, they are going to run that much harder.” —Billy Donovan III
Donovan also highlighted Kawamura’s basketball intelligence, which helps him adapt to opposing defenses and determine the right moments to either facilitate for teammates or look for scoring opportunities himself. This decision-making skill was evident during Summer League play, where Kawamura excelled in reading the game and creating chances.
“(Kawamura contributing at an NBA level) comes down to (recognizing) different coverages and how teams are playing him,” Donovan III continued. “From there, it’s about when to pick and choose his spots versus looking to facilitate for others, which he did a really good job of (during NBA Summer League action).” —Billy Donovan III
Looking Ahead: Kawamura’s Role with the Chicago Bulls
Though Kawamura is still developing and faces challenges related to defense and physicality, his skill set and determination position him as a promising asset for the Bulls. His ability to energize the team’s offense, combined with his efforts to learn from both teammates and Bulls history, suggests he could carve out a meaningful role as the season progresses. The impact of his unique style, enthusiasm, and connection to Michael Jordan’s legacy might inspire further growth both for Kawamura individually and the Bulls as a whole.