Rui Hachimura on Yuki Kawamura being waived: While chasing your dream is important, you have to make smart decisions

Sj अक्टूबर 20, 2026
Rui Hachimura's Blunt Advice to Yuki Kawamura After Clippers Waive | NBA 2026

Rui Hachimura's Blunt Advice to Yuki Kawamura After Clippers Waiver: "You Have to Make Smart Decisions"

Published: October 2026 | Category: NBA / Japanese Basketball | Reading Time: 12 minutes

The Los Angeles Clippers made a tough roster decision on Monday, waiving Japanese point guard Yuki Kawamura ahead of the 2026-27 NBA season[reference:0]. The move ended Kawamura's training camp bid for a roster spot, but it also prompted a candid and thoughtful response from his fellow countryman and new Clippers teammate, Rui Hachimura.

Speaking to Japanese sports media reporter Yoko Miyaji, Hachimura offered a message that was equal parts encouragement and hard-earned wisdom: chase the dream, but don't lose sight of reality.

"He really worked hard during training camp, so I want him to keep that up. Also, while chasing your dream is important, you have to make smart decisions. He's already 25 years old, so I want him to keep that in mind as he moves forward."

It was a moment of mentorship from one Japanese NBA star to another—a reminder that the path to basketball's highest level is rarely linear, and that sometimes the smartest decision isn't the one that keeps the dream alive, but the one that secures a future.

Table of Contents

1. What Happened: Clippers Waive Kawamura

The news broke on Monday, October 13, 2026, when the Los Angeles Clippers announced they had waived Yuki Kawamura ahead of the 2026-27 NBA season opener[reference:1]. The 25-year-old point guard had been competing for a roster spot after signing a non-guaranteed Exhibit 10 contract with the Clippers in August 2026[reference:2].

An Exhibit 10 deal is a training camp invitation that allows a player to compete for a roster spot. If the player is waived and subsequently joins the team's G League affiliate, they become eligible for a bonus of up to $91,000[reference:3].

1.1 Kawamura's Preseason Performance

Kawamura appeared in two preseason games for the Clippers. His first outing against the Golden State Warriors was forgettable, but he bounced back impressively against the Toronto Raptors, scoring 10 points on 3-for-4 shooting with four assists and two steals in just 14 minutes of play[reference:4]. The performance showcased the energy and playmaking ability that have made him a fan favorite, but it wasn't enough to secure a roster spot on a deep Clippers squad.

1.2 The Aftermath

If Kawamura clears waivers and is not claimed by another NBA team, he is expected to join the San Diego Clippers, the team's G League affiliate[reference:5]. That would keep him within the Clippers organization and provide a pathway back to the NBA if he performs well in the developmental league.

2. Rui Hachimura's Full Quote and Reaction

Hachimura, who joined the Clippers in free agency during the 2026 offseason, was asked about Kawamura's departure by Japanese reporter Yoko Miyaji[reference:6]. His response was measured, supportive, and unmistakably honest.

"He really worked hard during training camp, so I want him to keep that up. Also, while chasing your dream is important, you have to make smart decisions. He's already 25 years old, so I want him to keep that in mind as he moves forward."[reference:7]

2.1 What Hachimura's Words Really Mean

On the surface, Hachimura's comments are simple encouragement. But read between the lines, and a deeper message emerges:

  • "Keep that up" — Acknowledgment of Kawamura's work ethic and a reminder that effort alone isn't always rewarded in the NBA.
  • "Make smart decisions" — A gentle but firm suggestion that Kawamura should weigh practical considerations, not just the emotional pull of chasing an NBA dream.
  • "He's already 25 years old" — A pointed reference to the realities of professional basketball. At 25, Kawamura is no longer a young developmental prospect. Time, earning potential, and career longevity become critical factors.

Hachimura isn't telling Kawamura to give up. He's telling him to be strategic. The NBA is a business, and at 25, the window for securing a stable, lucrative career—whether in the NBA, the G League, or overseas—is narrowing.

Key Insight: Hachimura's advice reflects the experience of a player who has navigated the pressures of being a Japanese star in the NBA. At 28, he has seen how quickly opportunities can shift, and he understands the importance of balancing ambition with pragmatism.

3. Who Is Yuki Kawamura? The Full Story

Yuki Kawamura has been one of Japan's most exciting basketball exports, a diminutive point guard whose energy, vision, and fearlessness have made him a fan favorite wherever he's played. But his journey to the NBA has been anything but straightforward.

3.1 Early Career and B.League Stardom

Born on May 2, 2001, in Yanai, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan, Kawamura stands at just 5-foot-7 (170 cm) and weighs 159 pounds (72 kg)—measurements that make him one of the smallest players in professional basketball[reference:8]. What he lacks in size, however, he makes up for in skill, speed, and court vision.

Before joining the NBA, Kawamura spent five seasons in Japan's B.League, playing for the San-en NeoPhoenix (2019-20) and Yokohama B-Corsairs (2020-24)[reference:9]. In 167 B.League games, he averaged an impressive 16.7 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 7.3 assists—numbers that established him as one of the league's premier guards[reference:10].

3.2 The NBA Dream Begins

Kawamura declared for the 2023 NBA Draft but went undrafted. Undeterred, he earned a training camp invite with the Memphis Grizzlies in 2024 and impressed enough to secure a two-way contract. He appeared in 22 games for Memphis during the 2024-25 season, averaging 1.6 points and 0.9 assists in limited minutes[reference:11].

In the 2025-26 season, Kawamura signed another two-way deal, this time with the Chicago Bulls. He appeared in 18 games, averaging 3.4 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 2.6 assists in about 11.6 minutes per game[reference:12]. He also spent significant time in the G League, where his numbers were far more impressive.

3.3 G League Excellence

In 35 G League games across two seasons, Kawamura has averaged 14.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, 8.7 assists, and 1.0 steals while shooting 38.3% from the field, 39.3% from three-point range, and 81.7% from the free-throw line[reference:13]. These are numbers that suggest he is too good for the G League but not quite good enough—or perhaps not given enough opportunity—to stick in the NBA.

Competition Games Points Rebounds Assists FG% 3P%
NBA (Career) 40 2.5 1.1 1.7 34.1% 30.0%
G League (Career) 35 14.4 5.2 8.7 38.3% 39.3%
B.League (Career) 167 16.7 3.0 7.3 — —

Sources: Basketball-Reference, G League, B.League[reference:14][reference:15][reference:16]

3.4 International Stardom

Kawamura has been a fixture on the Japanese national team since 2021-22 and starred for Japan at the 2024 Paris Olympics[reference:17]. His performances on the international stage have cemented his status as one of Japan's most beloved basketball figures, alongside Hachimura.

4. Who Is Rui Hachimura? Context Behind the Advice

To fully understand Hachimura's advice, it's important to appreciate his own journey and current standing in the NBA.

4.1 A Trailblazer for Japanese Basketball

Rui Hachimura, born February 8, 1998, in Toyama, Japan, became the first Japan-born player ever selected in the first round of the NBA Draft when the Washington Wizards took him with the No. 9 pick in 2019 out of Gonzaga University[reference:18]. At 6-foot-8 and 230 pounds, he possesses a combination of size, athleticism, and shooting that has made him a reliable NBA contributor.

4.2 Career Trajectory

Hachimura spent three-plus seasons with the Wizards before being traded to the Los Angeles Lakers in January 2023[reference:19]. He developed into a key rotation player in Los Angeles, known for his efficient scoring and three-point shooting.

In the 2025-26 season, Hachimura had a career year with the Lakers, averaging 11.5 points and 3.3 rebounds in 68 games (41 starts) while shooting 51.4% from the field and 44.3% from three-point range[reference:20]. He elevated his game further in the playoffs, averaging 17.5 points in 10 postseason games and shooting an incredible 56.9% from beyond the arc[reference:21].

4.3 Joining the Clippers

In July 2026, Hachimura signed a two-year, $28 million contract with the Los Angeles Clippers as a free agent[reference:22]. Clippers President of Basketball Operations Lawrence Frank praised the signing, calling Hachimura "an elite three-point shooter and an efficient mid-range scorer who uses his size to exploit mismatches"[reference:23].

Hachimura's decision to stay in Los Angeles—turning down offers from multiple teams—demonstrates his own "smart decision-making" and his comfort in the city he now calls home[reference:24].

Hachimura's 2025-26 Stats: 11.5 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 51.4% FG, 44.3% 3P% (regular season) | 17.5 PPG, 56.9% 3P% (playoffs)

5. The Clippers' Roster Situation: Why Kawamura Was Waived

The Clippers' decision to waive Kawamura wasn't a reflection of his talent or work ethic. It was a numbers game—and a reflection of the team's deep and crowded backcourt.

5.1 A Crowded Point Guard Rotation

The Clippers entered the 2026-27 season with a loaded roster at the point guard position. The depth chart includes:

  • Darius Garland — Projected starter at point guard[reference:25]
  • Kris Dunn — Veteran backup and defensive specialist
  • Bradley Beal — Re-signed on a two-year, $13.2 million deal, adding to the backcourt logjam[reference:26]
  • Keaton Wagler — Young guard prospect
  • Kobe Sanders — Another young guard in the rotation mix

With so many guards on the roster, there simply wasn't room for Kawamura, even on a two-way or Exhibit 10 deal that would have allowed him to develop in the G League[reference:27].

5.2 The Numbers Game

NBA teams are limited to 15 standard roster spots plus two two-way contracts. The Clippers, after trading Kawhi Leonard and pivoting toward a younger core, had already committed significant resources to their backcourt. Waiving Kawamura was a business decision, not a basketball one.

5.3 The Exhibit 10 Mechanism

Kawamura's Exhibit 10 contract was always a long shot. These deals are designed to give teams flexibility—they allow a player to compete in training camp, and if waived, the team can retain their G League rights by offering a bonus. For Kawamura, the $91,000 G League bonus was the most likely outcome from the moment he signed[reference:28].

6. What's Next for Yuki Kawamura? The Career Crossroads

With his Clippers tenure on hold (and a G League assignment likely), Kawamura faces a pivotal decision about the next chapter of his career. Hachimura's advice rings especially true at this juncture.

6.1 Option 1: Stay in the G League

Kawamura can accept the Exhibit 10 bonus and join the San Diego Clippers for the 2026-27 G League season. This would keep him in the Clippers' system and give him another opportunity to prove himself. His G League numbers (14.4 points, 8.7 assists) suggest he can dominate at that level, but the pathway from G League standout to NBA rotation player is narrow, especially for undersized guards.

6.2 Option 2: Return to Japan's B.League

This may be the "smart decision" Hachimura is alluding to. Kawamura was a top star in the B.League, averaging 16.7 points and 7.3 assists over five seasons[reference:29]. A return to Japan would offer:

  • Financial security — Likely a lucrative contract as one of the league's biggest draws.
  • Stardom and stability — A featured role on a team, rather than fighting for minutes at the end of an NBA bench.
  • National team continuity — Staying in Japan could help him maintain his form and fitness for international competitions.

At 25, with a family and a future to consider, the B.League represents a compelling option—one that doesn't require giving up on basketball, only redefining what success looks like.

6.3 Option 3: Explore Overseas Opportunities

Other leagues—such as those in Europe, Australia (NBL), or China (CBA)—could offer Kawamura a chance to play at a high level, earn a competitive salary, and continue developing his game. These leagues have proven to be viable pathways for players who don't find a permanent home in the NBA.

What Would a "Smart Decision" Look Like? For Kawamura, it might mean weighing the emotional pull of the

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