For most, an NBA contract is the culmination of a dream. For Chicago’s Yuki Kawamura, it represents a multi-million dollar sacrifice. Kawamura is trying to make a name for himself in the league. At 5’7, he is the shortest player in the league. But he’s always compensating for his size with energy and hustle. Therefore, he has become one of the most beloved faces on the court. Yet, his two-way contract with the Chicago Bulls tells a different story than one can imagine.

Kawamura is navigating a fascinating financial twist in Chicago. The Bulls guard is currently on a two-way contract after recovering from a blood clot. His one-year deal pays just $354,794 for the 2025- 26 season. As expected, that setup splits his time between the NBA roster and the Windy City Bulls in the G League. However, rewind a bit. In his rookie year with the Memphis Grizzlies, he earned $578,577.

Meanwhile, his pre-NBA chapter tells a completely different story. Kawamura made around $2.5 million in Japan during the 2023- 24 season. This means he took a pay cut of around $2,145,206 to play in the NBA. That puts his current NBA salary at nearly seven times less than his earnings back home. Quite the pay cut!

Remember, Kawamura was the B.League MVP in 2023 with the Yokohama B-Corsairs. Now, for context, ex-NBA forward Yuta Watanabe is cashing in back home. He will earn up to $5 million in after-tax income with the Chiba Jets. That figure even tops the NBA median salary of $6.7 million before taxes, roughly $3.5 to $4 million after. Moreover, it flirts with the league average of $12 million, or about $6 million post-tax.

Meanwhile, Yuki Kawamura is still grinding for minutes. Yuki Kawamura has played 11 games with the Chicago Bulls. He averages 3.0 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 2.9 assists in 11 minutes, shooting 33.3% overall and 31.3% from three. At 5 feet 7, the 24-year-old now plays nearly three times more than he did in Memphis last season.

A pivotal chapter in Kawamura’s 2025-26 journey unfolded during preseason, when he was diagnosed with a blood clot in his lower right leg—the same serious vascular condition that has sidelined high-profile players like Victor Wembanyama and Damian Lillard in recent years.

The issue surfaced shortly after he impressed in two preseason games (averaging 3.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 4.0 assists in 10.8 minutes per game), leading the Bulls to waive him on October 17, 2025. Far from a performance-based cut, the move was a precautionary step to prioritize his full health and recovery under the team’s medical supervision.

Kawamura remained in Chicago throughout the ordeal, undergoing a structured 12-week (roughly three-month) treatment regimen that included blood thinners (anticoagulants) to dissolve the clot and prevent complications. These medications carried risks such as internal bleeding, so the Bulls and league doctors kept him sidelined from all contact activities until he received full medical clearance in early January 2026.

This extended absence—spanning the first months of the regular season—directly influenced his contract situation. With time lost and the need to prove full readiness amid a competitive backcourt, Kawamura re-signed with the Bulls on a two-way contract in January 2026, allowing flexibility for NBA and G League (Windy City Bulls) play while he rebuilt momentum.

The health scare added real adversity to his underdog story, testing his resilience; as Kawamura reflected post-return, “Rehab wasn’t easy. It was a long way… I felt real bad because I was so super excited to play [in Chicago].”

Naturally, the challenges of playing as the shortest player in the NBA are immense. But the fans are always cheering for him.

Kawamura is treading through the NBA amid hardship

Recently, the Bulls guard sat with the Chicago Sports Network. During the conversation with K.C. Johnson, the host asked him if he notices the crowd’s energy and support when he checks into the game. “I hear it. Honestly, it’s amazing,” Yuki shared. “I appreciate the fans’ support. I couldn’t have done this without them. It’s a motivation for me. I want to prove that a short player like me can play in the NBA. Being short isn’t easy.”

He added, “I need to pick up full court, take a charge. I have to be consistent with my play, no matter if I’m in the G League or the NBA. I have to be better. What I’ve been doing isn’t good enough. I just want to meet expectations from my coaches, teammates, and fans.”

At the same time, Johnson also highlighted that the Japanese star’s growing comfort in English, even if the guard brushed it off. However, Johnson revealed Kawamura takes it seriously. Meanwhile, with the Windy City Bulls at the G League, he is shining, averaging 17.7 points, 11.3 assists, and 5.3 rebounds in nine games, shooting 36.5%.

Tiny frame, massive fight. Yuki Kawamura is chasing belief as much as minutes, and every second feels earned. However, the paycheck tells the scathing truth. A glaring difference. He could’ve earned seven times as much in Japan as the NBA is offering him. But it’s the love of fans that’s likely keeping him close to American basketball culture.

So he is running harder, learning faster, and showing up everywhere, proving that heart can stretch far beyond height and deals.