San Antonio announced tonight (between Friday and Saturday) the release of 19-year-old Josh Primo, who was selected 12th in the 2021 draft. The official announcement reads: “We hope that in the long run this decision will serve the interest of the organization and Josh. We have nothing to add on the matter at the moment.” Shortly after, Primo shared that he was dealing with trauma and needed time away from basketball to take care of his mental health.
“I know you are all surprised by today’s announcement,” he wrote Primo. “I was looking for help to deal with a trauma I suffered from in the past, and now I will take the time to focus more on treating my mental health. I hope I can talk about this in the future so I can help others who have also been affected in a similar way. I appreciate the privacy at this time.”
Even before the picture became clear, the NBA received the Spurs’ announcement with astonishment. ESPN’s senior reporter Adrian Wojnarowski He tweeted immediately after the release: “This is an unprecedented and jarring step by San Antonio. Primo’s development on the floor has excited the organization about his future in the NBA.”
Just two weeks ago, San Antonio exercised the option on Primo for his third season (2023/24), and he is under a contract worth $4.1 million for the upcoming season and $4.3 million for the next season.
Primo has managed to play 54 games so far in his short NBA career (four games this season) and his averages stand at 5.9 points along with 2.3 rebounds and 1.8 assists. This season, before he was cut, he improved almost all of his numbers.
https://t.co/xobWqKxkMA
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) October 28, 2022
Josh Primo statement to ESPN in the aftermath of his release from the Spurs tonight: pic.twitter.com/H1n3k3IIcn
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 29, 2022