Yuki Kawamura recently signed a non-guaranteed deal with the LA Clippers, and he’s gonna try to prove his value during the training camp. Can the Japanese point guard really stick around with the team? Or should he be looking for other possibilities elswehere?
Ever since Yuki Kawamura arrived in the United States in 2024, a consistent wave of fan enthusiasm has surrounded him.
Position
PG
Age
25
Height
172 cm
Weight
72 kg
Birth place
Yanai, Japan
After all, it’s hard not to root for the Japanese point guard – an immensely talented player whose physical limitations nonetheless hinder his ability to carve out a defined role in the league.
Standing at just 173 cm tall, Kawamura is the shortest player in the entire league. In today’s NBA, it is difficult to justify having such an undersized player on the floor, even at point guard.
After beginning his NBA career with the Memphis Grizzlies on a two-way contract, Kawamura played for the Bulls last season, managing to carve out a small amount of playing time throughout the season.
In early August, the Clippers signed Kawamura to a training camp deal, giving him the opportunity to compete for a spot on the roster.
As an Exhibit 10 deal, the contract is non-guaranteed, but Kawamura could receive a bonus of nearly $91,000 if he is cut before the start of the season and then remains with the Clippers’ G League affiliate for at least 60 days.
The Clippers also have the right to convert the agreement into a two-way contract, allowing Kawamura to split his time between the NBA and the G League.
The question now is whether Kawamura can secure a role with the Clippers this time around.
Credit AP-Scanpix
A crowded backcourt
The problem for Kawamura isn’t talent; it’s math. Los Angeles already has Darius Garland, who averaged nearly 20 points a game running the point after arriving via trade, plus rookie Keaton Wagler and newly signed two-way guard Jalen Pickett.
The Clippers even waived Sean Pedulla, a player with a somewhat similar profile, the same week they added Pickett, a signal of just how stacked this backcourt already is.
At 5-foot-7, Kawamura remains one of the smallest players in the league, and his NBA shortcomings track closely with his frame: he’s an inefficient finisher around the rim, overly reliant on his jumper to score, and limited defensively against bigger, stronger backcourt players.
Those are the exact traits NBA evaluators have flagged in each of his previous stops.
The G League path
For now, the most plausible path for Kawamura is through the G League, allowing him to stay within the Clippers via their affiliate.
Should his contract be waived prior to the regular season, spending at least 60 days with the affiliate would entitle him to that $91,000 bonus.
Financially, this represents a practical route for him.
The Clippers could monitor his development in the G League and call him up during the season, particularly if injuries strike in the backcourt.
Having already posted impressive numbers in the G League, Kawamura has shown he can make a meaningful impact at that level.
If he replicates his production from last season, an NBA call-up from the Clippers or another franchise could follow.
Even so, given his physical limitations, it remains difficult to envision him securing more than a supporting role in the near term.
Going abroad
For Kawamura, the option of playing abroad remains on the table. Teams in Japan would eagerly welcome him back with a lucrative contract.
It’s also possible that the Japanese player could attract interest from Europe during the season.
However, Kawamura has consistently shown commitment to his NBA dream, making any departure from the United States unlikely.
Ultimately, he appears more than willing to bide his time in the G League if it keeps the door open for another NBA opportunity.
Support BasketNews so we could make even better content.
If you like our content, please click here and add us as your preferred source. It helps us a lot, and we are committed to delivering you the very latest basketball news.