Story by
Clippers cut fan favorite Yuki Kawamura amid roster crunch, but there’s a catch
- Story by
- Clippers cut fan favorite Yuki Kawamura amid roster crunch, but there’s a catch
Clippers cut fan favorite Yuki Kawamura amid roster crunch, but there's a catch appeared first on ClutchPoints . Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
The LA Clippers were forced to make yet another difficult decision as they face a roster crunch heading into opening night of the 2026-27 NBA season. Entering this training camp , the Clippers brought in a 21-man roster, which included a pair of two-way players.
Advertisement
On Monday evening, the Clippers announced they had waived guard Yuki Kawamura despite still having another preseason game and week of camp to go. Kawamura played in the Clippers first two preseason games before being cut. That move, however, doesn't necessarily mean his time with the franchise is over.
Kawamura is entering his third year in the NBA after playing his first season with the Memphis Grizzlies and his second season with the Chicago Bulls. That means the Japanese guard is eligible to sign a two-way contract with the LA Clippers if they choose to retain him via that option. The Clippers currently have one two-way spot open, with the other two going to Jalen Pickett and Nick Martinelli.
Watch sports LIVE with fuboTV (free trial)
Another option for the Clippers would be to sign him to their G League team, the San Diego Clippers, where they can have him play and develop this season unless he gets a call-up from a team in the league. In order to have his rights to sign him to their G League team, the Clippers needed to sign and then waive him, which they've done.
Advertisement
Los Angeles-based Japanese reporter Akiko Yamawaki also hinted on Monday night that should Kawamura clear waivers, he is expected to join the G League team in San Diego.
At just five-foot-seven and 159 lbs, Yuki Kawamura is clearly one of the more undersized players in the league. When he's played, however, he's shown the ability to hold his own and contribute on both ends of the floor.
As of right now, the Clippers have 16 guaranteed contracts on the books for this upcoming season, and it's clear one player is still going to have to be cut. While the franchise has given no indication who that player might end up being, the most likely candidate appears to be Cam Christie.
Christie has shown the ability to rebound at a high level and shoot the basketball throughout the early portions of his NBA career, but he hasn't been able to find a consistent role off the Clippers bench since arriving to Los Angeles. Christie is entering his third year in the NBA, which means he is still two-way eligible and could be signed to that type of contract, allowing the Clippers to retain and continue developing him.
Play Rewind
The Clippers did that exact thing numerous times with Jordan Miller before he maxed out his two-way eligibility and signed a new guaranteed deal with the franchise this past summer.
Advertisement
This season is the first in a long time where many players should have the opportunity to play, evolve, and to take on the steep learning curves of the NBA. Keaton Wagler, Kobe Sanders, Jordan Miller, Baba Miller, Yanic Konan Niederhauser, and Cham Christie should all be candidates for increased minutes in what should be developmental year for the Clippers.
Related: Keaton Wagler details first week of NBA experience facing Stephen Curry, Warriors
