Yuki Kawamura has officially rejoined the Chicago Bulls, signing a two-way contract this week following a successful recovery from a blood clot in his leg. The 24-year-old point guard was medically cleared after a 12-week recovery process that began with his diagnosis in October 2023. Although Kawamura was waived during his treatment, he remained in Chicago to work closely with the Bulls’ medical team throughout his rehabilitation.
The Bulls’ head coach, Billy Donovan, expressed his excitement about Kawamura’s return, stating, “We always intended to re-sign Kawamura once he returned to full health.” Donovan emphasized the hard work Kawamura put into his recovery, noting the uncertainty that comes with such a serious condition. “You just don’t know what that’s going to look like in the future,” he added. “I’m just happy it all worked out well for him.”
Blood clots pose a significant risk to athletes, often requiring extended periods away from competitive play. This condition, while rare, has affected other NBA players, including Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs, who missed the final two months of the 2024-25 season due to a blood clot in his shoulder. Treatment typically involves blood-thinning medication that prevents immediate return to contact sports, as these medications increase the risk of severe internal bleeding.
Throughout his recovery, Kawamura could have participated in basketball, but the Bulls’ medical staff advised against any contact activities. Since receiving clearance from the league, he has participated in practices with the Windy City Bulls in the G League, preparing for his return to the NBA.
The timing of Kawamura’s return is critical for the Bulls, who currently face a guard shortage. Coby White is limited due to calf injuries, and Josh Giddey is sidelined with a strained left hamstring. Backup guard Tre Jones has stepped into the starting lineup, although the Bulls prefer to keep his minutes around 25. Other players, such as Ayo Dosunmu and Matas Buzelis, have also contributed in the backcourt, but neither naturally fills the role of a primary ball handler.
Kawamura’s skills as a pass-first point guard, who primarily shoots from beyond the arc, could provide a much-needed solution for the Bulls’ backcourt issues. The team initially signed him to a two-way contract in July 2023 after he showcased impressive performance in the summer league.
“We’re certainly going to need another ball handler,” Donovan remarked, highlighting the urgency of the situation. “He obviously has played in the league. I want to see where he’s at physically — he’s obviously had a long stretch of not any live action — but it’ll probably take him a little bit of time to get back into a rhythm. But I’m not opposed to playing Kawamura if we are continuing to deal with some of the things that we’ve dealt with in our backcourt.”
As Kawamura resumes his career with the Bulls, fans and teammates alike are hopeful that his hard work and resilience will pay off on the court.
