On April 20, Beijing time, 29-year-old Japanese player Yuta Watanabe announced on IG social media that he would bid farewell to the NBA and return to play in the Japanese league next season. Yuta Watanabe played six seasons in the NBA, playing for the Grizzlies, Raptors, Nets, and Suns, and played in 213 regular season games in his career, averaging 4.2 points and 2.3 rebounds per game. The six-year NBA career is already the longest time a Japanese player has played in the NBA.
Yuta Watanabe revealed in a live broadcast that he will give up the player option for the final year of his current contract (worth $2.65 million) and move to the Japanese Professional Basketball B League next season, and he is expected to be a key target for teams in the Japanese league. Yuta Watanabe was an NBA undrafted pick who started his NBA career by signing a two-way contract with the Grizzlies.
On February 9, 2024, in a three-way trade, Yuta Watanabe was sent back to the Grizzlies by the Suns. He played in a total of 34 regular season games this season, averaging 3.4 points and 1.6 rebounds per game, shooting 35.3% from the field, 29.4% from three-point range, and 58.8% from the free throw line. Only five of the 34 games have been played with the Grizzlies, who have been sidelined since March 3 due to injuries. His Grizzlies have suffered injury problems this season and have failed to make the playoffs.
With Yuta Watanabe announcing his retirement from the NBA, there are currently two Japanese-born players in the league, Lakers forward Hachimura and Nets guard Cam Thomas. Thomas is averaging 22.5 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game this season, while Hachimura is averaging 13.6 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game this season.