7:10 pm: Flowers is officially a Bull, according to the team (Twitter link via Lorenzi).
5:33 pm: The Bulls have waived two-way guard Yuki Kawamura, the team announced (via Twitter).
According to K.C. Johnson of Chicago Sports Network (Twitter link), the Bulls’ PR department specified that Kawamura was released due to a medical condition. As Joel Lorenzi of The Athletic tweets, the Japanese point guard had quickly become a fan favorite in Chicago, but was ruled out earlier this preseason due to right lower leg pain.
The Bulls will fill their two-way vacancy by signing Trentyn Flowers, agents Mike Silverman and Troy Payne tell Shams Charania of ESPN (Twitter link).
Flowers, a 6’7″ wing, spent 2024/25 — his rookie season — on a two-way deal with the Clippers. He only played a total of 27 minutes in six appearances with the Clips, but was a regular contributor for their G League affiliate in San Diego. In 42 combined games (30.7 MPG) with San Diego, Flowers averaged 17.7 PPG, 5.0 RPG and 1.9 APG, with a shooting line of .475/.385/.740.
The Clippers tendered Flowers a two-way qualifying offer in June, which he quickly accepted, locking in a partial guarantee worth $85,300. However, the 20-year-old was cut a few days ago and cleared waivers, making him an unrestricted free agent.
Kawamura, who had been the shortest active player in the league at 5’8″, was a star in Japan before signing an Exhibit 10 deal with Memphis last fall. He was promoted to a two-way contract just before ’24/25 began and spent his rookie season with the Grizzlies, playing a modest role in 22 games (4.2 MPG).
The 24-year-old received extended run with the Memphis Hustle, averaging 12.7 PPG, 8.5 APG, 3.1 RPG and 1.0 SPG on .383/.365/.761 shooting in 31 games (31.6 MPG). The Grizzlies didn’t give him a QO though, and he was an UFA for a few weeks prior to impressing with the Bulls’ Summer League team, earning himself a two-way deal.
Chicago will have 18 players under contract once Flowers’ agreement is finalized.
Bulls singing Flowers is a good move. Sign Bates next
Of course they signed another wing player because you know, You never can have enough.
I feel so sad, I really loved watching Bulls Yuki. Hope he gets better soon. Welcome Trentyn Flowers!