The Chicago Bulls announced on January 6, 2026, that they have signed guard Yuki Kawamura to a two-way contract and waived forward Trentyn Flowers.
The transaction reverses an October move in which the club released Kawamura to create a two-way opening for Flowers. Kawamura, 5’8″, was cut at the time because of right-lower-leg pain that surfaced after two preseason appearances. He remained in Chicago to rehabilitate and recently told K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Sports Network, “I’ll be back soon.”
Kawamura starred in Japan before joining the Memphis Grizzlies on an Exhibit 10 deal last fall. Elevated to a two-way contract just before the 2024-25 season, he logged 22 NBA games at 4.2 minutes per contest as a rookie. With the G League’s Memphis Hustle, he averaged 12.7 points, 8.5 assists, 3.1 rebounds and 1.0 steal while shooting .383/.365/.761 across 31 outings (31.6 MPG).
Memphis declined to extend a qualifying offer last summer, making Kawamura an unrestricted free agent. A strong performance with Chicago’s Summer League squad earned him a two-way agreement that was later rescinded because of his injury; Wednesday’s signing brings him back into the fold. The 24-year-old has been a member of Japan’s senior national team since the 2021-22 campaign.
Flowers appeared in two NBA games for Chicago, averaging 2.0 points, 0.5 rebounds and 0.5 assists in 2.8 minutes. In three regular-season games with the Windy City Bulls, he posted 8.7 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.7 assists over 27.7 minutes, and he contributed 13.0 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in 11 Tip-Off Tournament contests earlier in the G League year.
With Kawamura back on board, the Bulls’ two remaining two-way slots are held by Emanuel Miller and Lachlan Olbrich.
Source: Hoops Rumors
