Earlier in the offseason, the LA Clippers’ front office signed Yuki Kawamura, a player loved all over the world for his flashy scoring and playmaking, to a one-year, non-guaranteed Exhibit-10 deal. This means Kawamura is invited to the Clippers’ training camp and will have to prove himself to the organization to convert his contract.
Just by hearing the news, excitement was the first emotion for many. However, as time has passed and the team’s roster appears complete ahead of LA’s media day, there’s one problem: the Clippers’ 15 standard contracts and three two-way slots are essentially set. This means Kawamura has a chance to make the cut, but it is slim to none given the front office already has their mind made up.
Already at a massive size disadvantage at five-feet, seven-inches, Kawamura will have to literally outperform his competition by a mile to force the Clippers into reconsideration.
Yuki Kawamura’s best bet is to fight for a two-way spot on the Clippers
Although nothing is set in stone yet, the 15 players the LA Clippers will roll with to start the season are crystal clear. These are guys the Clippers need, whether that’s for production, depth, or even a locker room presence.
For Yuki Kawamura, the only player in LA on an Exhibit-10 deal, he’ll have to fight his way into earning a two-way spot.
At the moment, the Clippers’ three two-way spots consist of Jalen Pickett, Jamarion Sharp, and Nick Martinelli. Though this group of players also seems to be the one LA will start the season with, if Kawamura leaves his mark to a certain degree in training camp, things could definitely change.
And, honestly, the only player among those three who could get waived to make space for Kawamura is Pickett, the former Denver Nugget.
Sharp is desperately needed in the center rotation, mainly because Yanic Konan Niederhauser is still injured and the position is the weakest on the Clippers. Martinelli, on the other hand, is a rookie who showed a ton of promise in the summer league.
Meanwhile, Pickett may be good in his own ways, but because he’s someone the team doesn’t necessarily need, Kawamura could take his spot.
That said, Kawamura's path to the team will be no easy one. There is little margin for error through training camp and the preseason, and in the event he’s successful, more challenges will inevitably arise.
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