The next logical step for the famous NBA player Yuki Kawamura is now here. After his contract with the Memphis Grizzlies expired, he decided to participate in the NBA Summer League with the Chicago Bulls.
This 24-year-old has become somewhat of a “cult hero” despite the fact that he is the NBA’s shortest player.
The Japanese guard has finally spoken out against the choice. He wrote an emotional letter to his old teammates and posted it on Instagram.
Yuki Kawamura joins the Chicago Bulls after an emotional Memphis Grizzlies exit and Ja Morant’s shout-out
The Memphis Grizzlies had a really difficult season last year. They had to deal with injured players and a poor tournament ending.
The Oklahoma City Thunder, the winners from the previous season, badly defeated them in the same tournament.
They also had trouble finding an appropriate coach.
Yuki Kawamura quit the squad during this difficult time.
He won over G League fans and quickly became a Memphis favourite despite playing in just 22 NBA games and averaging 1.6 points per game.
Additionally, he was selected to participate in the NBA G League Next Up Game after exploding for 12.4 points and 7.8 assists in 24 games with the Memphis Hustle.
But the star player became a free agency prior to the 2025–2026 NBA season since the Memphis Grizzlies did not provide him a qualifying offer.
Joining the Chicago Bulls’ Summer League squad was a fresh start for the Japanese player.
When the NBA 2K26 Summer League begins on July 10, he will formally announce his transfer.
Upon hearing the news, Yuki Kawamura took to social media to share an emotional statement.
He thanked his supporters and the Memphis Grizzlies. He mentioned in his message:
Even though he has only been a part of the team for a short period of time, he has already won the admiration and respect of his teammates, particularly Ja Morant.
Off the court, the relationship between Ja Morant and Yuzi Kawamura became adored by the Memphis fan base.
Plus, in March of 2025, while Kawamura was playing in the G League, Morant’s daughter was seen cheering him on as well.
Following his colleague’s brief stint with the Memphis Grizzlies, the NBA player took to his X account to acknowledge the situation:
Yukix12 dont die.”
Meanwhile, as Yuki Kawamura starts his career with the Chicago Bulls, the Memphis Grizzlies will surely remember his impact on the team and its evolving culture.
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