Tyronn Lue says ‘it’s not over’ for Yuki Kawamura after Clippers waive him

LOS ANGELES — Oct. 14, 2026 — The LA Clippers waived Yuki Kawamura on Monday, but Tyronn Lue made a point of saying the door has not closed on the Japanese guard. Asked about the move at Tuesday’s practice, the Clippers coach framed it as a roster-evaluation decision rather than a verdict on Kawamura.

“We’re just getting different looks. I wouldn’t say it’s over for Yuki yet,” Lue said. “He’s done a terrific job, everybody loves him, his energy is very infectious. He’s been great for us. It’s not over for him yet. I don’t think he gets a fair shake a lot because of his height and size, but he’s a damn good basketball player.”

Tyronn Lue on waiving Yuki Kawamura during yesterday’s Clippers practice:

“We're just getting different looks. I wouldn't say it's over for Yuki yet… He's done a terrific job, everybody loves him, his energy is very infectious. He's been great for us. It's not over for him… pic.twitter.com/sAFz1xQ9Cb

— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) October 14, 2026

Why “not over” matters

Kawamura was in camp on an Exhibit 10 contract, the type of deal that can be converted to a two-way contract or carry a bonus if a waived player joins the team’s G League affiliate and stays there for at least 60 days. That makes Lue’s wording notable: the San Diego Clippers are the most direct path for Kawamura to stay inside the organization, although no move to San Diego has been announced.

He made the most of limited minutes in two preseason appearances. In Saturday’s 114-106 loss to Toronto in Vancouver, Kawamura scored 10 points with four assists in 14 minutes on 3-of-4 shooting, after a shorter stint in the exhibition opener against Golden State.

Clippers still sorting out the back of the roster

Lue’s “different looks” line fits a busy week at the end of the Clippers’ bench. The team brought Fletcher Loyer back on an Exhibit 10 deal and waived 2024 second-round pick Cam Christie a day before his salary guarantee, with teams facing the Oct. 19 deadline to set opening-night rosters.

Kawamura, 25, spent last season with the Chicago Bulls on a two-way contract, appearing in 18 NBA games and averaging 18.7 points and 11 assists in 11 G League games for the Windy City Bulls. Listed at 5-foot-8, he has heard the size questions throughout his career, and Lue made clear on Tuesday that he does not see them as the final word.

More on WhyNBA: Clippers waive Kawamura and the Cam Christie move.