Yuki Kawamura’s NBA dream could be coming to an end

Yuki Kawamura is one of the most interesting stories of the NBA preseason. The 1.70 meter tall guard from Japan makes a good impression and is already becoming a fan favorite. But his chance of making it to the NBA became more difficult after the Memphis Grizzlies decided to sign another player. The Japanese professional player currently has an Exhibit 10 contract with the Memphis Grizzlies. This non-guaranteed training camp deal with a minimum salary that allows the Grizzlies to sign him to a two-way before the start of the season. Will Yuki Kawamura make his NBA debut?

Yuki Kawamura might be the strange man in Memphis

On Tuesday, the Memphis Grizzlies announced they would sign guard Scotty Pippen Jr. to a standard NBA contract. Scotty, the son of the Hall of Famer and Chicago Bulls legend, went undrafted in 2022 and spent his rookie season with the Los Angeles Lakers on a two-way deal. The Grizzlies then signed him to a two-way contract in January, and he averaged 12.9 points and 4.7 assists in 21 games last year. During this year’s summer league, Pippen Junior averaged 21.5 points and 8.7 assists in 30.5 minutes of play. After signing Pippen, the Grizzlies no longer have an open roster spot, making it difficult for Yuki to crack the roster unless Memphis cuts someone.

Can Yuki turn the tide?

In the last two games, the two wins against the Chicago Bulls and the Indiana Pacers, Yuki was the Grizzlies’ leading assist man. He had eight assists against the Bulls and seven against the Pacers. Against Indiana, Yuki had many highlights, including a few no-look passes and some big threes.

But is that enough? The Japanese maestro has one more game to prove to the Grizzlies that he can be a valuable player, Saturday night, Oct. 19, against the Miami Heat. After this game, Yuki Kawamura’s NBA dream could come to an end. If the Grizzlies decide not to sign him, he will have to look elsewhere.

Can another team sign Yuki?

Kawamura was part of the 2023 draft but, like Scotty Pippen Jr., went undrafted. This means that no team has the draft rights for Yuki. The Grizzlies signed him to an Exhibit 10 contract. This contract was introduced in the 2017 collective bargaining agreement. The one-year minimum wage agreement is not guaranteed. The contract includes a bonus of up to $75,000, which the player will receive under special circumstances. After he is released, he must spend at least 60 days with a team’s G League affiliate.

The advantage of the Exhibit 10 contract is that teams can sign players to compete for a roster spot during training camp. Teams may sign up to six contracts in accordance with Exhibit 10. Players have the opportunity to make an impact on a team and make it to the NBA. For Yuki, this means he can be a free agent if the Grizzlies cut him if he doesn’t want to play for their G League affiliate. Or he could get a contract from another team. A recent example is Max Strus, who converted an Exhibit 10 contract into a two-way contract with the Miami Heat in December 2020.