Josh Primo stepping away to deal with mental issues
Following this announcement by the Spurs and following all the questions being asked around the NBA world, Josh Primo reached out to ESPN and issued the following statement to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Primo: “I know that you all are surprised by today’s announcement. I’ve been seeking help to deal with previous trauma I have suffered and will now take this time to focus on my mental health treatment more fully. I hope to be able to discuss these issues in the future so I can help others who have suffered in a similar way. I appreciate privacy at this time.”
Source: Brett Siegel @ Sports Illustrated
Source: Brett Siegel @ Sports Illustrated
What’s the buzz on Twitter?
Paul Garcia @PaulGarciaNBA
New 📺 on Josh Primo being waived and the Spurs defeating the Chicago Bulls: youtu.be/c9SPz9WNaFI – 1:29 AM
New 📺 on Josh Primo being waived and the Spurs defeating the Chicago Bulls: youtu.be/c9SPz9WNaFI – 1:29 AM
Tom Orsborn @tom_orsborn
On an emotional night that began with the shocking release of Josh Primo, Spurs down another good team, knocking off the Bulls 129-124 in 1st game of a 4-game homestand.
Spurs improve to 4-2, face Minnesota again on Sunday. – 10:58 PM
On an emotional night that began with the shocking release of Josh Primo, Spurs down another good team, knocking off the Bulls 129-124 in 1st game of a 4-game homestand.
Spurs improve to 4-2, face Minnesota again on Sunday. – 10:58 PM
Josh Lewenberg @JLew1050
Just spoke to former Spur Thad Young, who told me he was shocked to see the Josh Primo news. He got to know Primo well in San Antonio early last season, said he’s a great guy. – 10:26 PM
Just spoke to former Spur Thad Young, who told me he was shocked to see the Josh Primo news. He got to know Primo well in San Antonio early last season, said he’s a great guy. – 10:26 PM
Adrian Wojnarowski @wojespn
Josh Primo statement to ESPN in the aftermath of his release from the Spurs tonight: pic.twitter.com/H1n3k3IIcn – 10:17 PM
Josh Primo statement to ESPN in the aftermath of his release from the Spurs tonight: pic.twitter.com/H1n3k3IIcn – 10:17 PM
Alex Kennedy @AlexKennedyNBA
If this was any other organization, I feel like the details about Josh Primo getting waived would’ve already leaked. However, the Spurs are great about keeping things in-house. basketballnews.com/stories/san-an… – 8:52 PM
If this was any other organization, I feel like the details about Josh Primo getting waived would’ve already leaked. However, the Spurs are great about keeping things in-house. basketballnews.com/stories/san-an… – 8:52 PM
Christos Tsaltas @Tsaltas46
Josh Primo has locked his IG account. So far only him and the Spurs front office know what happened behind his waiving. Odd situation #GoSpursGo – 8:24 PM
Josh Primo has locked his IG account. So far only him and the Spurs front office know what happened behind his waiving. Odd situation #GoSpursGo – 8:24 PM
Michael Grange @michaelgrange
Still shocked at news Spurs waived 2nd-year guard Josh Primo who had his option picked up before the season and was under contract through 2023-24. No one is saying anything right now, but this is what Gregg Popovich had to say about Primo just 10 months ago: pic.twitter.com/vgVyFFzGnU – 8:06 PM
Still shocked at news Spurs waived 2nd-year guard Josh Primo who had his option picked up before the season and was under contract through 2023-24. No one is saying anything right now, but this is what Gregg Popovich had to say about Primo just 10 months ago: pic.twitter.com/vgVyFFzGnU – 8:06 PM
Mark Deeks @MarkDeeksNBA
As far as I can tell, the waiving of Josh Primo sets a new record for the earliest any lottery pick has ever had their rookie scale contract terminated in NBA history, beating the previous record by Georgios Papagiannis (who at least made it to the trade deadline of year two). – 8:02 PM
As far as I can tell, the waiving of Josh Primo sets a new record for the earliest any lottery pick has ever had their rookie scale contract terminated in NBA history, beating the previous record by Georgios Papagiannis (who at least made it to the trade deadline of year two). – 8:02 PM
Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
Josh Primo was San Antonio’s backup point guard by the end of preseason and entering last week
This transaction does not feel basketball related – 7:58 PM
Josh Primo was San Antonio’s backup point guard by the end of preseason and entering last week
This transaction does not feel basketball related – 7:58 PM
Adrian Wojnarowski @wojespn
Josh Primo was the youngest player in the 2021 NBA Draft when selected 12th to the Spurs. His on-court development absolutely had the organization excited about his NBA future. Waiving Primo so abruptly without explanation is fairly unprecedented — and jarring. – 7:50 PM
Josh Primo was the youngest player in the 2021 NBA Draft when selected 12th to the Spurs. His on-court development absolutely had the organization excited about his NBA future. Waiving Primo so abruptly without explanation is fairly unprecedented — and jarring. – 7:50 PM
Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
We were finishing up a family dinner before the Celtics game, what happened with Josh Primo now??? – 7:39 PM
We were finishing up a family dinner before the Celtics game, what happened with Josh Primo now??? – 7:39 PM
Marc J. Spears @MarcJSpears
Josh Primo is a great young talent. Scores easy. Just 19 years old. Spurs had been developing this kid. The small market Spurs don’t just drop a player like that unless something detrimental happened off the court. Not sure what. Coach Pop declined comment. Very odd situation. – 7:35 PM
Josh Primo is a great young talent. Scores easy. Just 19 years old. Spurs had been developing this kid. The small market Spurs don’t just drop a player like that unless something detrimental happened off the court. Not sure what. Coach Pop declined comment. Very odd situation. – 7:35 PM
Bobby Marks @BobbyMarks42
It was just 2 weeks ago that San Antonio exercised the 3rd year (2023-24) team option for Josh Primo.
He is under contract for $4.1M and $4.3M.
He is eligible to be claimed with room or an exception but a team will have to do its diligence on why the 19-year old was waived. – 7:31 PM
It was just 2 weeks ago that San Antonio exercised the 3rd year (2023-24) team option for Josh Primo.
He is under contract for $4.1M and $4.3M.
He is eligible to be claimed with room or an exception but a team will have to do its diligence on why the 19-year old was waived. – 7:31 PM
RJ Marquez @KSATRJ
Stunning Spurs news: The team has waived Josh Primo who was selected with the No. 12 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft. #KSATsports pic.twitter.com/5szcSwov2r – 7:29 PM
Stunning Spurs news: The team has waived Josh Primo who was selected with the No. 12 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft. #KSATsports pic.twitter.com/5szcSwov2r – 7:29 PM
Mike Ganter @Mike_Ganter
Josh Primo just got waived by the Spurs. Makes no sense. He was out Wednesday with a glute injury. But this is very strange to waive a first round pick with obvious upside. Clearly more to it. – 7:28 PM
Josh Primo just got waived by the Spurs. Makes no sense. He was out Wednesday with a glute injury. But this is very strange to waive a first round pick with obvious upside. Clearly more to it. – 7:28 PM
Alex Kennedy @AlexKennedyNBA
Wow. I’m very curious to hear why the Spurs waived Josh Primo. Here is RC Buford’s statement: pic.twitter.com/zP8ukiVXmD – 7:28 PM
Wow. I’m very curious to hear why the Spurs waived Josh Primo. Here is RC Buford’s statement: pic.twitter.com/zP8ukiVXmD – 7:28 PM
Tom Orsborn @tom_orsborn
Breaking: Spurs have released Josh Primo. “It is our hope that, in the long run, this decision will serve the best interest of both the organization and Joshua,” said Spurs Sports & Entertainment CEO RC Buford. – 7:28 PM
Breaking: Spurs have released Josh Primo. “It is our hope that, in the long run, this decision will serve the best interest of both the organization and Joshua,” said Spurs Sports & Entertainment CEO RC Buford. – 7:28 PM
Kevin O’Connor @KevinOConnorNBA
RC Buford on the shocking release of Josh Primo: “It is our hope that, in the long run, this decision will serve the best interest of both the organization and Joshua.”
Strange. Primo is only 19 and in his second year. I’m sure we’ll learn more about this in the coming days. – 7:28 PM
RC Buford on the shocking release of Josh Primo: “It is our hope that, in the long run, this decision will serve the best interest of both the organization and Joshua.”
Strange. Primo is only 19 and in his second year. I’m sure we’ll learn more about this in the coming days. – 7:28 PM
Chris Mannix @SIChrisMannix
Spurs have waived Josh Primo. Primo was the 12th pick in the 2021 NBA draft. – 7:26 PM
Spurs have waived Josh Primo. Primo was the 12th pick in the 2021 NBA draft. – 7:26 PM
Tom Petrini @RealTomPetrini
The Spurs have made a shocking announcement that they’ve waived Josh Primo.
No idea what this is about. pic.twitter.com/qSP7RvwJBh – 7:26 PM
The Spurs have made a shocking announcement that they’ve waived Josh Primo.
No idea what this is about. pic.twitter.com/qSP7RvwJBh – 7:26 PM
Marc Stein @TheSteinLine
The Spurs say they have waived Josh Primo: pic.twitter.com/qIPpW5InKr – 7:25 PM
The Spurs say they have waived Josh Primo: pic.twitter.com/qIPpW5InKr – 7:25 PM
Matthew Tynan @Matthew_Tynan
The NBA’s official injury report is listing Devin Vassell and Josh Primo as OUT again tonight.
Teams submit those reports daily, but Spurs haven’t yet made it official today. So, potentially subject to change. Did not see either on the court following shootaround today, though. – 12:53 PM
The NBA’s official injury report is listing Devin Vassell and Josh Primo as OUT again tonight.
Teams submit those reports daily, but Spurs haven’t yet made it official today. So, potentially subject to change. Did not see either on the court following shootaround today, though. – 12:53 PM
More on this storyline
As to what the reaction around the league has been, one Eastern Conference executive told Fastbreak on FanNation that he was “shocked” to hear this news regarding Primo. One agent who spoke with Fastbreak also added that he too was surprised and that nobody around the league had any idea that something had occurred internally between the young guard and the Spurs. -via Sports Illustrated / October 29, 2022
Matthew Tynan: Still no further updates on the Primo release. Team is sticking to the statement made by RC Buford, and sources I’ve spoken with cannot share details at this time. Pretty clearly a sensitive situation. -via Twitter @Matthew_Tynan / October 29, 2022
Tom Orsborn: Asked Keldon about #Spurs’ overcoming the shocking news about Primo to go out and beat Bulls: “We are a family. We stay together. We’ve been playing hard all year and we continued that tonight.” -via Twitter @tom_orsborn / October 29, 2022