Kawamura Struggles in Summer League, NBA Contract Uncertain July 26

Yuki Kawamura, 25, wrapped his third NBA Summer League campaign on July 18 with the Indiana Pacers, averaging 8.2 points and 4.8 assists across five games. Yet the Japanese point guard left Las Vegas frustrated. His three-point shooting collapsed to 7.7 percent on 13 attempts, far below his 29.7 percent mark from last season. Without a full NBA contract, Kawamura faces a critical two-month window to prove himself before the 2026-27 season begins.

Three-point shooting derailed Kawamura’s Summer League push

Kawamura entered Summer League targeting two specific areas: paint scoring and three-point range. He succeeded on one front but failed on the other. Inside the paint, he made 9 of 15 shots for a 60 percent success rate, demonstrating improved footwork and the ability to draw fouls. But from three-point range, he misfired badly. He made just 1 of 13 three-pointers across five games, a 7.7 percent clip that fell far short of his stated goal of 40 percent or better. Last season in the NBA, he shot 29.7 percent from deep.

Limited playing time masked Kawamura’s playmaking strength

Kawamura’s assist numbers tell a different story. Averaging 17.5 minutes per game, he recorded 4.8 assists per contest. Extrapolated to 48 minutes, that projects to 13.2 assists per game, surpassing his 12.5 mark from last year’s Summer League with the Chicago Bulls. In the final game against New Orleans on July 18, he played roughly 20 minutes and dished 12 assists, showcasing his court vision and game-making ability. Yet the Pacers gave more minutes to backup point guard Braden Smith, a younger, taller prospect from Purdue University.

Pacers favor Smith’s potential over Kawamura’s proven skills

The Pacers agreed to a two-way contract with Smith after the draft, limiting roster flexibility. NBA scouts explained the decision plainly: the league prefers to evaluate unproven talent. Smith is two years younger than Kawamura and about 10 centimeters taller. Those differences matter in a league where size at the point guard position remains valuable. With only three two-way contract slots available, the Pacers are unlikely to carry two undersized point guards. Kawamura acknowledged he must learn to create impact in limited minutes and find his rhythm with less ball-handling time.

Ja Morant’s endorsement signals continued NBA interest

On July 25, NBA star Ja Morant of the Portland Trail Blazers shared a highlight video of Kawamura’s Summer League performance on X, featuring his speed, assists, and three-point makes. Morant added no caption, but the gesture carried weight. The two played together on the Memphis Grizzlies, and Morant has mentored Kawamura like a younger brother. The post amplified Kawamura’s visibility to NBA scouts and teams ahead of the 2026-27 season. Kawamura remains unsigned by any NBA team and has two months to secure a contract.

Final Thoughts

Kawamura’s Summer League exposed a critical gap: elite playmaking but unreliable three-point shooting. Without a full NBA deal, he must prove he can shoot consistently and impact games in short bursts. Morant’s backing keeps his profile alive, but the numbers must follow.

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