Bulls sign guard Yuki Kawamura -- the shortest player in the NBA -- to a two-way contract

Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune on Jul 19, 2025

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CHICAGO — The Chicago Bulls signed guard Yuki Kawamura to a two-way contract Saturday, rewarding the point guard for a strong summer league performance in Las Vegas.

The Bulls might have entered the NBA Summer League focused on rookie Noa Essengue and second-year forward Matas Buzelis, but Kawamura quickly stole the show. He averaged 10.2 points, 6.2 assists and 2.2 steals over five games of action in Las Vegas.

For Kawamura, this signing is a crucial step in his NBA journey after the guard joined the Bulls for summer league with the express goal of earning a two-way contract with any team in the league.

“I believe I still can play in the NBA,” Kawamura said after his first summer league game. “I want to get a contract — two-way, whatever. I just want to get a contract.”

At 5-foot-8, Kawamura is the shortest player in the NBA. His height disadvantage poses a considerable challenge, particularly on the defensive end — he struggles to handle switches and earns considerable attention from opponents seeking mismatches. But Kawamura always has made up for a lack of height with a supreme understanding of how to manipulate the ball, dishing passes behind his back and over his head and seemingly with his eyes closed.

Kawamura’s flashy passing and playmaking fueled his ascension as the 2023 MVP of the B.League, the top flight in Japan. The point guard made his NBA debut last season after winning a two-way contract with the Memphis Grizzlies out of training camp. He played only 93 minutes for the Grizzlies and spent the majority of his time in the G League with the Hustle, with whom he averaged 7.8 assists.

Kawamura made an immediate impression on the Bulls in Las Vegas, earning praise from teammates and coaches for his work ethic and creativity.

“He’s the definition of heart over height,” Buzelis said. “He plays so hard. To be on the floor with him, it means a lot to me. I’m not going to take it for granted because he’s an amazing player and an amazing human.”

Teams are afforded three two-way contracts per season. The contracts do not count against the salary cap and allow players to move back and forth between the senior team and its G League affiliate.

The Bulls previously had three players signed to two-way deals but waived Jahmir Young to make room for Kawamura. Emanuel Miller and 2025 second-round pick Lachlan Olbrich remain on two-way deals.