The Chicago Bulls are in the midst of an intriguing rebuild, showing flashes of promise last NBA season behind the playmaking of Josh Giddey. While Giddeyâs long-term future in Chicago remains uncertain, the Bulls arenât standing still. In a proactive move, theyâve signed a new guard to bolster their backcourt depth.
According to Shams Charania, Japanese guard Yuki Kawamura has agreed to a two-way contract with the Bulls. âJapanese guard Yuki Kawamura has agreed to a two-way NBA deal with the Chicago Bulls, sources tell ESPN,â Charania reported. âThe Bulls finalized the deal with Kawamuraâs agents at Wasserman to sign the 5-foot-8 point guard amid a strong Summer League showing.â
Kawamura did not return to the Memphis Grizzlies this offseason and instead joined the Bullsâ Summer League squad. Despite coming off the bench in all appearances, he quickly became a focal point as he sought to secure his next NBA opportunity. On Saturday, he earned that chance.
Just one day after dropping 20 points and dishing out 10 assists off the bench, Kawamura signed a two-way contract with Chicago for the 2025â26 season. He left a strong impression during his five-game run at the Las Vegas Summer League.
The 24-year-old averaged 10.2 points, 2.4 rebounds, 6.2 assists, and 2.2 steals per game, while shooting 42.1 percent from the field and an impressive 41.7 percent from three-point range. He spent the 2024â25 season with the Grizzlies but saw limited playing time, averaging just 4.2 minutes in 22 regular-season appearances.
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Meanwhile, the Bulls are still navigating a complicated contract situation with Giddey. The Australian guard remains a key piece of their future plans, but the two sides are reportedly far apart in salary talks.
According to NBA insider Jake Fischer, Giddeyâs camp is holding firm on a $30 million annual salary, while the Bullsâ offers have hovered closer to $20 million. âThe sides, sources say, remain far apart, with the Australian point guard long known to be seeking a deal that pays in the $30 million range annually,â Fischer noted.
Giddey arrived in Chicago last season in a high-profile trade that sent defensive anchor Alex Caruso to the Oklahoma City Thunder and quickly became a cornerstone of the teamâs evolving core.
