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Ty Lue Speaks on Yuki Kawamura Potentially Joining Clippers’ G League
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- Ty Lue Speaks on Yuki Kawamura Potentially Joining Clippers’ G League
Fan-favorite guard Yuki Kawamura may have been waived by the Los Angeles Clippers before the regular season even began after signing him to a preseason contract, but that doesn't mean that his time in the NBA or with Los Angeles is over quite yet.
Kawamura's career is one that's been defined by perseverance. He's played a combined 40 games at the NBA level across two seasons, one with the Memphis Grizzlies and another with the Chicago Bulls, and beyond that Kawamura has played in the G-League on a series of two-way and preseason contracts , leading him to the Clippers.
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Across his career, Kawamura has averaged 2.5 points, 1.1 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 7.6 minutes per game while shooting 34.1% from the field and 30% from three point range, but what he's most known for is the way that he's impressed the public with stellar Summer League and preseason performances that have endeared him to fans.
Toronto Raptors guard Chucky Hepburn (24) drives past Los Angeles Clippers guard Yuki Kawamura (17) in the second half at Rogers Arena. Bob Frid-Imagn Images
A Future for Kawamura
Still, no amount of endearment can save a job in the NBA and Kawamura was still waived by the Clippers as they make their final cuts and roster moves before the regular season, though head coach Ty Lue didn't close the door Kawamura completely and even hopes the Clippers can hold onto him in some way or another.
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"I would love to have him," Lue said (via AP Hoops ). "He's a very good player. I don't think he gets a fair chance because of his height and size, but he's a damn good basketball player."
Kawamura's disadvantages that Lue mentioned are valid ones and they make Kawamura's staying power in the league that much more impressive. He stands at just 5'7 and 159 pounds and even their have been the Spud Webb's and Nate Robinson's of the world in the NBA's history, trying to stay in the league today at that size is near-impossible.
Los Angeles Clippers guard Yuki Kawamura (17) is interviewed on media day at Intuit Dome. Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Working Against Disadvantages
With those disadvantages considered, Kawamura' skills and the fact that he's been productive at all stand out that much more and if he did have size on his side, Kawamura would likely be a regular NBA player already.
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But that isn't the case and Kawamura instead lives as a G-League journeyman, though that itself leaves open a path for Kawamura to have real NBA minutes again this season, whether that's with the Clippers or another team.
Chicago Bulls guard Yuki Kawamura (8) reacts after scoring against the Dallas Mavericks during the second half at American Airlines Center. Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
Lue is clearly high on Kawamura and for the Clippers, having more exciting young talent, undersized or otherwise, is still a good thing and being able to keep Kawamura in their back pocket on the G-League squad could be a great way to fortify their depth and keep a fan-favorite player on their roster.
